Avalon A1246 vs Canaan Avalon Q
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Avalon A1246 | Specification | Canaan Avalon Q |
|---|---|---|
| 90.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 90.0 TH/s |
| 3,420 W | Power Consumption | 1,674 W |
| 38.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 18.6 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 45 dB |
| 12.3 kg | Weight | 10.5 kg |
| 11,669 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 5,712 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 56/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Canaan | Manufacturer | Canaan |
Profitability Comparison
Avalon A1246
Canaan Avalon Q
Based on BTC price of $79,091 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Weighing six performance factors, the Canaan Avalon Q comes out ahead — it takes 5 of 5 (efficiency, power consumption, home mining score, noise level, price-performance). Its biggest concrete edge: 51% better power draw (3,420 vs 1,674 W). Review the detailed specs and profitability calculations above to determine which miner best fits your specific setup.
Spec Deltas
Stripped to the numbers, this is how far apart the Avalon A1246 and Canaan Avalon Q sit on each measurable spec:
- Canaan Avalon Q 51% better power draw (3,420 vs 1,674 W)
- Canaan Avalon Q 51% better efficiency (38.0 vs 18.6 J/TH)
- Canaan Avalon Q 40% better noise (75.0 vs 45.0 dB)
- Canaan Avalon Q 15% better weight (12.3 vs 10.5 kg)
- Avalon A1246 104% more heat output (11,669 vs 5,712 BTU/hr)
- Canaan Avalon Q 56% more home mining score (36.0 vs 56.0)
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.
| Avalon A1246 | Metric | Canaan Avalon Q |
|---|---|---|
| $1,800 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $1,292 |
| -$4.93 | Daily net profit | -$0.74 |
| -$3,600 | Net after 1 year | -$1,562 |
| -$5,401 | Net after 2 years | -$1,833 |
| -$7,201 | Net after 3 years | -$2,104 |
| 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 QScore: 56/100. 45 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Canaan Avalon Q18.6 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Avalon A1246 or Canaan Avalon Q more profitable?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Canaan Avalon Q is more profitable at $-0.74/day compared to $-4.93/day for the Avalon A1246. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Avalon A1246 vs Canaan Avalon Q: which runs at a lower noise level?
The Canaan Avalon Q is quieter at 45 dB compared to the Avalon A1246 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Avalon A1246 vs Canaan Avalon Q: which fits a residential setup better?
The Canaan Avalon Q scores 56/100 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 Q on J/TH?
The Avalon A1246 runs at 38.0 J/TH while the Canaan Avalon Q runs at 18.6 J/TH — a difference of 19.4 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 51% better efficiency (38.0 vs 18.6 J/TH).