Antminer S21 vs Whatsminer M56S+
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer S21 | Specification | Whatsminer M56S+ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 216.0 TH/s |
| 3,500 W | Power Consumption | 5,060 W |
| 17.5 J/TH | Efficiency | 23.4 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 50 dB |
| 14.6 kg | Weight | 13.0 kg |
| 11,942 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 17,265 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 44/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | MicroBT |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer S21
Whatsminer M56S+
Based on BTC price of $79,032 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Our scoring model gives the nod to the Antminer S21, which leads on 3 of 6 weighted factors (efficiency, power consumption, price-performance). Its biggest concrete edge: 31% better power draw (3,500 vs 5,060 W). That said, the Whatsminer M56S+ isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins hashrate and 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 S21 and Whatsminer M56S+ actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Whatsminer M56S+ 8% more hashrate (200 vs 216 TH/s)
- Antminer S21 31% better power draw (3,500 vs 5,060 W)
- Antminer S21 25% better efficiency (17.5 vs 23.4 J/TH)
- Whatsminer M56S+ 33% better noise (75.0 vs 50.0 dB)
- Whatsminer M56S+ 11% better weight (14.6 vs 13.0 kg)
- Whatsminer M56S+ 45% more heat output (11,942 vs 17,265 BTU/hr)
- Whatsminer M56S+ 22% more home mining score (36.0 vs 44.0)
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 S21 | Metric | Whatsminer M56S+ |
|---|---|---|
| $5,500 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $6,000 |
| -$1.13 | Daily net profit | -$4.29 |
| -$5,911 | Net after 1 year | -$7,565 |
| -$6,322 | Net after 2 years | -$9,130 |
| -$6,733 | Net after 3 years | -$10,696 |
| 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
Whatsminer M56S+Score: 44/100. 50 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer S2117.5 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antminer S21 vs Whatsminer M56S+: which one earns more per day?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Antminer S21 is more profitable at $-1.13/day compared to $-4.29/day for the Whatsminer M56S+. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Antminer S21 vs Whatsminer M56S+: which runs at a lower noise level?
The Whatsminer M56S+ is quieter at 50 dB compared to the Antminer S21 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Which is better for home mining, the Antminer S21 or Whatsminer M56S+?
The Whatsminer M56S+ scores 44/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 36/100 for the Antminer S21). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
What is the efficiency difference between Antminer S21 and Whatsminer M56S+?
The Antminer S21 runs at 17.5 J/TH while the Whatsminer M56S+ runs at 23.4 J/TH — a difference of 5.9 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 25% better efficiency (17.5 vs 23.4 J/TH).