Avalon A1246 vs Canaan Avalon Mini 3
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Avalon A1246 | Specification | Canaan Avalon Mini 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 37.5 TH/s |
| 3,420 W | Power Consumption | 800 W |
| 38.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 21.3 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 33 dB |
| 12.3 kg | Weight | 8.4 kg |
| 11,669 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 2,730 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 65/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Canaan | Manufacturer | Canaan |
Profitability Comparison
Avalon A1246
Canaan Avalon Mini 3
Based on BTC price of $77,781 and current network difficulty as of May 21, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Weighing six performance factors, the Canaan Avalon Mini 3 comes out ahead — it takes 5 of 6 (efficiency, power consumption, home mining score, noise level, price-performance). The standout gap is 77% better power draw (3,420 vs 800 W) in the Canaan Avalon Mini 3's favour. The Avalon A1246 holds the edge in hashrate. Cross-check the spec deltas and operating-cost table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Avalon A1246 and Canaan Avalon Mini 3 actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Avalon A1246 140% more hashrate (90.0 vs 37.5 TH/s)
- Canaan Avalon Mini 3 77% better power draw (3,420 vs 800 W)
- Canaan Avalon Mini 3 44% better efficiency (38.0 vs 21.3 J/TH)
- Canaan Avalon Mini 3 56% better noise (75.0 vs 33.0 dB)
- Canaan Avalon Mini 3 32% better weight (12.3 vs 8.4 kg)
- Avalon A1246 327% more heat output (11,669 vs 2,730 BTU/hr)
- Canaan Avalon Mini 3 81% more home mining score (36.0 vs 65.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
Sticker price versus what the miner actually earns back: the table below projects cumulative net profit at a $0.10/kWh electricity rate.
| Avalon A1246 | Metric | Canaan Avalon Mini 3 |
|---|---|---|
| $1,800 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $710 |
| -$4.99 | Daily net profit | -$0.58 |
| -$3,620 | Net after 1 year | -$921 |
| -$5,440 | Net after 2 years | -$1,132 |
| -$7,260 | Net after 3 years | -$1,343 |
| 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
Canaan Avalon Mini 3Score: 65/100. 33 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Canaan Avalon Mini 321.3 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes more money, the Avalon A1246 or the Canaan Avalon Mini 3?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Canaan Avalon Mini 3 is more profitable at $-0.58/day compared to $-4.99/day for the Avalon A1246. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Avalon A1246 or Canaan Avalon Mini 3?
The Canaan Avalon Mini 3 is quieter at 33 dB compared to the Avalon A1246 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
For mining at home, should I pick the Avalon A1246 or the Canaan Avalon Mini 3?
The Canaan Avalon Mini 3 scores 65/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 36/100 for the Avalon A1246). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Avalon A1246 and Canaan Avalon Mini 3 on J/TH?
The Avalon A1246 runs at 38.0 J/TH while the Canaan Avalon Mini 3 runs at 21.3 J/TH — a difference of 16.7 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 44% better efficiency (38.0 vs 21.3 J/TH).