Antminer S17 vs Antminer S21 Hydro
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer S17 | Specification | Antminer S21 Hydro |
|---|---|---|
| 56.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 335.0 TH/s |
| 2,520 W | Power Consumption | 5,360 W |
| 45.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 16.0 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 50 dB |
| 9.5 kg | Weight | 15.8 kg |
| 8,598 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 18,288 BTU/hr |
| 84/100 | Home Mining Score | 44/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Bitmain |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer S17
Antminer S21 Hydro
Based on BTC price of $79,051 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Based on our multi-factor analysis, the Antminer S21 Hydro wins on 3 of 5 factors (efficiency, hashrate, noise level). Where it pulls away hardest is 498% more hashrate (56.0 vs 335.0 TH/s). That said, the Antminer S17 isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins power consumption and home mining score. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
The Antminer S17 and Antminer S21 Hydro diverge on the metrics below — each gap expressed as a real percentage, not a vague "better":
- Antminer S21 Hydro 498% more hashrate (56.0 vs 335.0 TH/s)
- Antminer S17 53% better power draw (2,520 vs 5,360 W)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 64% better efficiency (45.0 vs 16.0 J/TH)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 33% better noise (75.0 vs 50.0 dB)
- Antminer S17 40% better weight (9.5 vs 15.8 kg)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 113% more heat output (8,598 vs 18,288 BTU/hr)
- Antminer S17 91% more home mining score (84.0 vs 44.0)
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 S17 | Metric | Antminer S21 Hydro |
|---|---|---|
| — | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $9,500 |
| -$4.01 | Daily net profit | -$0.68 |
| -$1,464 | Net after 1 year | -$9,747 |
| -$2,928 | Net after 2 years | -$9,994 |
| -$4,392 | Net after 3 years | -$10,242 |
| — | 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
Antminer S17Score: 84/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer S21 Hydro16.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antminer S17 vs Antminer S21 Hydro: which one earns more per day?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Antminer S21 Hydro is more profitable at $-0.68/day compared to $-4.01/day for the Antminer S17. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Antminer S17 or Antminer S21 Hydro?
The Antminer S21 Hydro is quieter at 50 dB compared to the Antminer S17 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Antminer S17 vs Antminer S21 Hydro: which fits a residential setup better?
The Antminer S17 scores 84/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 44/100 for the Antminer S21 Hydro). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
Antminer S17 vs Antminer S21 Hydro: how much does the efficiency gap matter?
The Antminer S17 runs at 45.0 J/TH while the Antminer S21 Hydro runs at 16.0 J/TH — a difference of 29.0 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 64% better efficiency (45.0 vs 16.0 J/TH).