Antminer KS5 vs IceRiver KS5L
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer KS5 | Specification | IceRiver KS5L |
|---|---|---|
| 20.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 12.0 TH/s |
| 3,000 W | Power Consumption | 3,400 W |
| 150.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 283.3 J/TH |
| 76 dB | Noise Level | 75 dB |
| 15.8 kg | Weight | 15.0 kg |
| 10,236 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 11,601 BTU/hr |
| 29/100 | Home Mining Score | 36/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| KHeavyHash | Algorithm | KHeavyHash |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | IceRiver |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer KS5
IceRiver KS5L
Based on BTC price of $78,139 and current network difficulty as of May 16, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Based on our multi-factor analysis, the Antminer KS5 wins on 4 of 6 factors (efficiency, hashrate, power consumption, price-performance). Where it pulls away hardest is 47% better efficiency (150 vs 283 J/TH). The IceRiver KS5L holds the edge in home mining score and noise level. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Stripped to the numbers, this is how far apart the Antminer KS5 and IceRiver KS5L sit on each measurable spec:
- Antminer KS5 67% more hashrate (20.0 vs 12.0 TH/s)
- Antminer KS5 12% better power draw (3,000 vs 3,400 W)
- Antminer KS5 47% better efficiency (150 vs 283 J/TH)
- IceRiver KS5L 1% better noise (76.0 vs 75.0 dB)
- IceRiver KS5L 5% better weight (15.8 vs 15.0 kg)
- IceRiver KS5L 13% more heat output (10,236 vs 11,601 BTU/hr)
- IceRiver KS5L 24% more home mining score (29.0 vs 36.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
A miner pays for itself in profit, not specs. These projections track upfront cost against one, two and three years of net earnings at $0.10/kWh.
| Antminer KS5 | Metric | IceRiver KS5L |
|---|---|---|
| $12,000 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $12,000 |
| -$6.48 | Daily net profit | -$7.73 |
| -$14,366 | Net after 1 year | -$14,821 |
| -$16,731 | Net after 2 years | -$17,642 |
| -$19,097 | Net after 3 years | -$20,463 |
| Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) | Payback period | Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) |
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
IceRiver KS5LScore: 36/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer KS5150.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes more money, the Antminer KS5 or the IceRiver KS5L?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Antminer KS5 is more profitable at $-6.48/day compared to $-7.73/day for the IceRiver KS5L. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Antminer KS5 vs IceRiver KS5L: which runs at a lower noise level?
The IceRiver KS5L is quieter at 75 dB compared to the Antminer KS5 at 76 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
For mining at home, should I pick the Antminer KS5 or the IceRiver KS5L?
The IceRiver KS5L scores 36/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 29/100 for the Antminer KS5). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Antminer KS5 and IceRiver KS5L on J/TH?
The Antminer KS5 runs at 150.0 J/TH while the IceRiver KS5L runs at 283.3 J/TH — a difference of 133.3 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 47% better efficiency (150 vs 283 J/TH).