Avalon A1566 vs Whatsminer M56S
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Avalon A1566 | Specification | Whatsminer M56S |
|---|---|---|
| 185.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 212.0 TH/s |
| 3,420 W | Power Consumption | 5,550 W |
| 18.5 J/TH | Efficiency | 26.2 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 50 dB |
| 14.9 kg | Weight | 13.0 kg |
| 11,669 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 18,937 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 44/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Canaan | Manufacturer | MicroBT |
Profitability Comparison
Avalon A1566
Whatsminer M56S
Based on BTC price of $78,165 and current network difficulty as of May 16, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Run the numbers across every spec and the Whatsminer M56S edges it: 4 of 6 factors go its way (hashrate, home mining score, noise level, price-performance). The standout gap is 33% better noise (75.0 vs 50.0 dB) in the Whatsminer M56S's favour. The Avalon A1566 holds the edge in efficiency and power consumption. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Stripped to the numbers, this is how far apart the Avalon A1566 and Whatsminer M56S sit on each measurable spec:
- Whatsminer M56S 15% more hashrate (185 vs 212 TH/s)
- Avalon A1566 38% better power draw (3,420 vs 5,550 W)
- Avalon A1566 29% better efficiency (18.5 vs 26.2 J/TH)
- Whatsminer M56S 33% better noise (75.0 vs 50.0 dB)
- Whatsminer M56S 13% better weight (14.9 vs 13.0 kg)
- Whatsminer M56S 62% more heat output (11,669 vs 18,937 BTU/hr)
- Whatsminer M56S 22% more home mining score (36.0 vs 44.0)
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 A1566 | Metric | Whatsminer M56S |
|---|---|---|
| $5,500 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $5,500 |
| -$1.55 | Daily net profit | -$5.69 |
| -$6,067 | Net after 1 year | -$7,578 |
| -$6,634 | Net after 2 years | -$9,657 |
| -$7,201 | Net after 3 years | -$11,735 |
| 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
Whatsminer M56SScore: 44/100. 50 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Avalon A156618.5 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Avalon A1566 or Whatsminer M56S more profitable?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Avalon A1566 is more profitable at $-1.55/day compared to $-5.69/day for the Whatsminer M56S. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Avalon A1566 or Whatsminer M56S?
The Whatsminer M56S is quieter at 50 dB compared to the Avalon A1566 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
For mining at home, should I pick the Avalon A1566 or the Whatsminer M56S?
The Whatsminer M56S scores 44/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 36/100 for the Avalon A1566). 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 A1566 and Whatsminer M56S on J/TH?
The Avalon A1566 runs at 18.5 J/TH while the Whatsminer M56S runs at 26.2 J/TH — a difference of 7.7 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 29% better efficiency (18.5 vs 26.2 J/TH).