Bitmain Antminer S3 vs Whatsminer M50S+
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Bitmain Antminer S3 | Specification | Whatsminer M50S+ |
|---|---|---|
| 478.0 GH/s | Hashrate | 138.0 TH/s |
| 366 W | Power Consumption | 3,276 W |
| 765.7 J/TH | Efficiency | 23.7 J/TH |
| — | Noise Level | 75 dB |
| 5,200.0 kg | Weight | 13.0 kg |
| 1,249 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 11,178 BTU/hr |
| 34/100 | Home Mining Score | 36/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | MicroBT |
Profitability Comparison
Bitmain Antminer S3
Whatsminer M50S+
Based on BTC price of $79,022 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Run the numbers across every spec and the Whatsminer M50S+ edges it: 4 of 5 factors go its way (efficiency, hashrate, home mining score, noise level). The standout gap is 28770% more hashrate (0.5 vs 138.0 TH/s) in the Whatsminer M50S+'s favour. The Bitmain Antminer S3 claws back ground on power consumption. The right pick still depends on your power cost and noise tolerance — the breakdowns above make that call concrete.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Bitmain Antminer S3 and Whatsminer M50S+ actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Whatsminer M50S+ 28770% more hashrate (0.5 vs 138.0 TH/s)
- Bitmain Antminer S3 89% better power draw (366 vs 3,276 W)
- Whatsminer M50S+ 97% better efficiency (765.7 vs 23.7 J/TH)
- Whatsminer M50S+ 100% better weight (5,200.0 vs 13.0 kg)
- Whatsminer M50S+ 795% more heat output (1,249 vs 11,178 BTU/hr)
- Whatsminer M50S+ 6% more home mining score (34.0 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.
| Bitmain Antminer S3 | Metric | Whatsminer M50S+ |
|---|---|---|
| — | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $3,500 |
| -$0.86 | Daily net profit | -$2.84 |
| -$314 | Net after 1 year | -$4,538 |
| -$629 | Net after 2 years | -$5,576 |
| -$943 | Net after 3 years | -$6,614 |
| — | 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 M50S+Score: 36/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Whatsminer M50S+23.7 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bitmain Antminer S3 or Whatsminer M50S+ more profitable?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Bitmain Antminer S3 is more profitable at $-0.86/day compared to $-2.84/day for the Whatsminer M50S+. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Bitmain Antminer S3 or Whatsminer M50S+?
The Whatsminer M50S+ is quieter at 75 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer S3 at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Which is better for home mining, the Bitmain Antminer S3 or Whatsminer M50S+?
The Whatsminer M50S+ scores 36/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 34/100 for the Bitmain Antminer S3). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Bitmain Antminer S3 and Whatsminer M50S+ on J/TH?
The Bitmain Antminer S3 runs at 765.7 J/TH while the Whatsminer M50S+ runs at 23.7 J/TH — a difference of 742.0 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 97% better efficiency (765.7 vs 23.7 J/TH).