Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) vs PiAxe
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) | Specification | PiAxe |
|---|---|---|
| 13.5 TH/s | Hashrate | 500.0 GH/s |
| 1,310 W | Power Consumption | 15 W |
| 97.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 30.0 J/TH |
| — | Noise Level | 30 dB |
| 4,200.0 kg | Weight | 0.2 kg |
| 4,470 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 51 BTU/hr |
| 31/100 | Home Mining Score | 70/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | D-Central |
Profitability Comparison
Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th)
PiAxe
Based on BTC price of $79,084 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Our scoring model gives the nod to the PiAxe, which leads on 4 of 6 weighted factors (efficiency, power consumption, home mining score, noise level). Where it pulls away hardest is 99% better power draw (1,310.0 vs 15.0 W). That said, the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins hashrate and price-performance. 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 S9k (13.5Th) and PiAxe actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) 2600% more hashrate (13.5 vs 0.5 TH/s)
- PiAxe 99% better power draw (1,310.0 vs 15.0 W)
- PiAxe 69% better efficiency (97.0 vs 30.0 J/TH)
- PiAxe 100% better weight (4,200.0 vs 0.2 kg)
- Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) 8630% more heat output (4,469.7 vs 51.2 BTU/hr)
- PiAxe 126% more home mining score (31.0 vs 70.0)
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 S9k (13.5Th) | Metric | PiAxe |
|---|---|---|
| $600 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $79 |
| -$2.65 | Daily net profit | -$0.02 |
| -$1,568 | Net after 1 year | -$85 |
| -$2,536 | Net after 2 years | -$92 |
| -$3,505 | Net after 3 years | -$98 |
| 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
PiAxeScore: 70/100. 30 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
PiAxe30.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) or PiAxe more profitable?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the PiAxe is more profitable at $-0.02/day compared to $-2.65/day for the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th). Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) or PiAxe?
The PiAxe is quieter at 30 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Which is better for home mining, the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) or PiAxe?
The PiAxe scores 70/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 31/100 for the Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th)). 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 S9k (13.5Th) and PiAxe on J/TH?
The Bitmain Antminer S9k (13.5Th) runs at 97.0 J/TH while the PiAxe runs at 30.0 J/TH — a difference of 67.0 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 69% better efficiency (97.0 vs 30.0 J/TH).