Whatsminer vs Antminer
On published specs, Bitmain's Antminer leads on hydro (S23 XP Hyd, 8.9 J/TH, against the Whatsminer M73S+ at 12.5 J/TH); on air the Whatsminer M70S+ (12.5 J/TH) edges the Antminer S21 XP (13.5 J/TH). Model by model below.
Updated November 7, 2026, from the manufacturers' figures as reported by Hashrate Index and others, dated at the end. Not investment advice.
The short answer
Lower J/TH (joules per terahash) means less power for the same hashrate. Matched by cooling type, the newest models compare like this:
- Hydro: Antminer S23 XP Hyd
- 600 TH/s, about 5,340 W, 8.9 J/TH. Shipping from November 2026.
- Hydro: Whatsminer M73S+
- 540 to 600 TH/s at 12.5 J/TH. Announced December 2025.
- Air: Whatsminer M70S+
- 12.5 J/TH. Announced December 2025.
- Air: Antminer S21 XP
- 270 TH/s, about 3,645 W, 13.5 J/TH. Released June 2024.
Air-cooled: Whatsminer M70S+ and M60S vs Antminer S21 and S21 XP
- Whatsminer M70S+
- 12.5 J/TH. Announced December 2025.
- Antminer S21 XP
- 270 TH/s, about 3,645 W, 13.5 J/TH. Released June 2024.
- Antminer S21
- 200 TH/s, about 3,500 W, 17.5 J/TH. Released February 2024; still the most common machine on many floors.
- Whatsminer M60S family
- 170 to 226 TH/s at 15.5 to 18.5 J/TH. Released 2023 and 2024.
Air machines run in ordinary warehouses and containers with fans. They are the default for small farms and hosting, and the older generations (S21, M60S) are what most secondhand listings offer.
Hydro: Whatsminer M73S+ and M79S vs Antminer S23 Hyd and S23 XP Hyd
- Antminer S23 XP Hyd
- 600 TH/s, about 5,340 W, 8.9 J/TH. Announced August 2026, shipping from November 2026.
- Antminer S23 Hyd
- 580 TH/s, about 5,510 W, about 9.5 J/TH (some reports give 9.7). Deliveries from early 2026.
- Whatsminer M73S+
- 540 to 600 TH/s at 12.5 J/TH.
- Whatsminer M79S (rack unit)
- 930 to 1,040 TH/s at 13.5 J/TH.
Hydro machines need a water loop and dry coolers, but run quieter and denser. At the same hashrate, 8.9 J/TH against 12.5 J/TH is roughly 29% less electricity.
The two makers
Bitmain (Antminer) and MicroBT (Whatsminer) are the two largest Bitcoin ASIC makers. Cambridge's 2025 report estimated Bitmain's share at about 82% and MicroBT's at about 15%; other estimates give Bitmain less. The full field, including Canaan, Bitdeer, Auradine and Block, is ranked in the ASIC miner guide.
How to choose
- Start from your power price. Hashrate Index put breakeven at about $138 per MWh for machines under 14 J/TH and about $100 per MWh for 14 to 19 J/TH on September 28, 2026.
- Match the cooling you can run: hydro only makes sense with a water loop; otherwise compare the air models.
- Price per terahash, delivery date and warranty differ by seller, direct or reseller. Get the delivery date and warranty terms in writing.
- Run each model at your own rate on aPanel's miner profitability pages, and check today's hashprice first.
Questions
- Is Whatsminer or Antminer better?
- On published efficiency, Bitmain's newest hydro machines lead: the Antminer S23 XP Hyd is rated 8.9 J/TH against 12.5 J/TH for MicroBT's Whatsminer M73S+. Among air-cooled machines the gap is smaller: the Whatsminer M70S+ is rated 12.5 J/TH and the Antminer S21 XP 13.5 J/TH. Your power price and cooling decide which one pays.
- Who makes Whatsminer?
- MicroBT, a Chinese manufacturer. Cambridge's 2025 report estimated its share of the ASIC market at about 15%, second to Bitmain's about 82%.
- Who makes Antminer?
- Bitmain, the largest Bitcoin ASIC manufacturer, with an estimated 82% of the market in Cambridge's 2025 report (other estimates give it less).
- What is the most efficient Whatsminer?
- The M70 series announced in December 2025: the M70S+ (air) and M73S+ (hydro, 540 to 600 TH/s) at 12.5 J/TH.
- What is the most efficient Antminer?
- The Antminer S23 XP Hyd: 600 TH/s at about 5,340 W, 8.9 J/TH, announced August 2026 and shipping from November 2026.
- What power price do these machines need?
- Hashrate Index put breakeven for machines under 14 J/TH at about $138 per MWh on September 28, 2026, and about $100 per MWh for 14 to 19 J/TH. Hashprice moves every day; check the live figure before buying.
More guides
Sources
- Hashrate Index, MicroBT reveals the Whatsminer M70 series · 2025-12-08
- Hashrate Index, Antminer S21 XP overview · updated 2026-05-27
- ForkLog, Bitmain unveils the 9.5 J/TH S23 Hyd · 2025-05-28
- Hashrate Index, Top 10 Bitcoin mining ASICs for 2026 · 2026-01-01
- Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report · 2025-04
- Hashrate Index Roundup, September 28, 2026 · 2026-09-28
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