Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer KS3 | Specification | Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.4 TH/s | Hashrate | 18.0 TH/s |
| 3,500 W | Power Consumption | 1,728 W |
| 372.3 J/TH | Efficiency | 96.0 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | — |
| 16.1 kg | Weight | 5,150.0 kg |
| 11,942 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 5,896 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 28/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| KHeavyHash | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Bitmain |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer KS3
Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)
Based on BTC price of $79,091 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Weighing six performance factors, the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) comes out ahead — it takes 3 of 5 (efficiency, hashrate, power consumption). The standout gap is 74% better efficiency (372.3 vs 96.0 J/TH) in the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)'s favour. That said, the Antminer KS3 isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins home mining score and noise level. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Antminer KS3 and Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) 91% more hashrate (9.4 vs 18.0 TH/s)
- Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) 51% better power draw (3,500 vs 1,728 W)
- Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) 74% better efficiency (372.3 vs 96.0 J/TH)
- Antminer KS3 100% better weight (16.1 vs 5,150.0 kg)
- Antminer KS3 103% more heat output (11,942 vs 5,896 BTU/hr)
- Antminer KS3 29% more home mining score (36.0 vs 28.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
Sticker price versus what the miner actually earns back: the table below projects cumulative net profit at a $0.10/kWh electricity rate.
| Antminer KS3 | Metric | Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | — |
| -$8.06 | Daily net profit | -$3.49 |
| -$10,941 | Net after 1 year | -$1,275 |
| -$13,882 | Net after 2 years | -$2,549 |
| -$16,823 | Net after 3 years | -$3,824 |
| Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) | Payback period | — |
Projections assume continuous operation, a flat $0.10/kWh rate, and no hardware degradation, pool fees, or BTC price change. Real-world ROI varies.
Best For...
Best for Profitability
TieBoth miners produce similar daily profit.
Best for Home Mining
Antminer KS3Score: 36/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)96.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th): which one earns more per day?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) is more profitable at $-3.49/day compared to $-8.06/day for the Antminer KS3. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th): which runs at a lower noise level?
The Antminer KS3 is quieter at 75 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th): which fits a residential setup better?
The Antminer KS3 scores 36/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 28/100 for the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th): how much does the efficiency gap matter?
The Antminer KS3 runs at 372.3 J/TH while the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) runs at 96.0 J/TH — a difference of 276.3 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 74% better efficiency (372.3 vs 96.0 J/TH).