Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) vs Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) | Specification | Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air |
|---|---|---|
| 18.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 260.0 TH/s |
| 1,728 W | Power Consumption | 3,640 W |
| 96.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 14.0 J/TH |
| — | Noise Level | 75 dB |
| 5,150.0 kg | Weight | 15.5 kg |
| 5,896 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 12,420 BTU/hr |
| 28/100 | Home Mining Score | 30/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Bitdeer |
Profitability Comparison
Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)
Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air
Based on BTC price of $79,146 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Weighing six performance factors, the Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air comes out ahead — it takes 4 of 5 (efficiency, hashrate, home mining score, noise level). Its biggest concrete edge: 1344% more hashrate (18.0 vs 260.0 TH/s). That said, the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins power consumption. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
The Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) and Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air diverge on the metrics below — each gap expressed as a real percentage, not a vague "better":
- Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air 1344% more hashrate (18.0 vs 260.0 TH/s)
- Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) 53% better power draw (1,728 vs 3,640 W)
- Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air 85% better efficiency (96.0 vs 14.0 J/TH)
- Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air 100% better weight (5,150.0 vs 15.5 kg)
- Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air 111% more heat output (5,896 vs 12,420 BTU/hr)
- Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air 7% more home mining score (28.0 vs 30.0)
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 S9 Hydro (18Th) | Metric | Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air |
|---|---|---|
| — | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $3,900 |
| -$3.49 | Daily net profit | $0.73 |
| -$1,274 | Net after 1 year | -$3,632 |
| -$2,549 | Net after 2 years | -$3,364 |
| -$3,823 | Net after 3 years | -$3,097 |
| — | Payback period | Takes ~14.6 years to pay back at current rates |
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
Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air$4.23/day higher profit at current rates.
Best for Home Mining
Bitdeer SealMiner A3 AirScore: 30/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air14.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes more money, the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) or the Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air is more profitable at $0.73/day compared to $-3.49/day for the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th). Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) or Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air?
The Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air is quieter at 75 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) vs Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air: which fits a residential setup better?
The Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air scores 30/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 28/100 for the Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th)). 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 S9 Hydro (18Th) and Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air on J/TH?
The Bitmain Antminer S9 Hydro (18Th) runs at 96.0 J/TH while the Bitdeer SealMiner A3 Air runs at 14.0 J/TH — a difference of 82.0 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 85% better efficiency (96.0 vs 14.0 J/TH).
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