Antminer S21 vs Avalon A1566
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer S21 | Specification | Avalon A1566 |
|---|---|---|
| 200.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 185.0 TH/s |
| 3,500 W | Power Consumption | 3,420 W |
| 17.5 J/TH | Efficiency | 18.5 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 75 dB |
| 14.6 kg | Weight | 14.9 kg |
| 11,942 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 11,669 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 36/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Canaan |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer S21
Avalon A1566
Based on BTC price of $78,139 and current network difficulty as of May 16, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Bitmain's flagship versus Canaan's competitive entry. The Avalon A1566 represents Canaan's push into high-efficiency SHA-256 mining against the dominant S21.
The S21 holds a slight efficiency edge and benefits from Bitmain's dominant market position, which translates to better resale value and parts availability. The Avalon A1566 is a solid alternative, often available when S21 stock is limited.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Antminer S21 and Avalon A1566 actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Antminer S21 8% more hashrate (200 vs 185 TH/s)
- Avalon A1566 2% better power draw (3,500 vs 3,420 W)
- Antminer S21 5% better efficiency (17.5 vs 18.5 J/TH)
- Antminer S21 2% better weight (14.6 vs 14.9 kg)
- Antminer S21 2% more heat output (11,942 vs 11,669 BTU/hr)
Cost & ROI Over Time
Hardware cost is only half the story — here is how each miner's upfront price plays out against cumulative profit at a $0.10/kWh rate.
| Antminer S21 | Metric | Avalon A1566 |
|---|---|---|
| $5,500 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $5,500 |
| -$1.21 | Daily net profit | -$1.56 |
| -$5,941 | Net after 1 year | -$6,068 |
| -$6,382 | Net after 2 years | -$6,636 |
| -$6,823 | Net after 3 years | -$7,204 |
| 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
TieBoth miners are equally suitable for home use.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer S2117.5 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canaan a reliable ASIC manufacturer?
Yes. Canaan is a publicly traded company and one of the three major ASIC manufacturers. Their Avalon miners are used in large-scale operations worldwide.
Can D-Central repair Avalon miners?
Yes. D-Central provides repair services for Canaan Avalon miners, including the A1566 and other models.