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Framing the Comparison
In today’s Bitcoin mining environment, energy efficiency is the key to staying competitive. As block rewards become harder to earn and network difficulty continues to rise, miners have to make careful decisions about their hardware. Profitability depends not just on raw performance, but on how little energy it takes to achieve it.
For the past year, the Whatsminer M60 series has been a leading choice among miners. The M60S, in particular, has stood out for its stable performance and reliability, becoming one of the best-selling models in its class. But hardware doesn’t stay on top forever. New models are beginning to enter the market with better specifications and more aggressive efficiency targets.
One of those challengers is the Sealminer A2, a new model from Bitdeer that offers a higher hashrate with a similar power draw. Moreover, thanks to its current price point, the Sealminer A2 achieves a faster return on investment. In this article, we’ll compare the A2 directly with the M60S to see how it performs in real-world conditions.
| Specification | واتس ماينر M60S | سيالمينر A2 |
|---|---|---|
| معدل الأداء في التعدين | 186 TH/s | 226 TH/s |
| Power Draw | 3441 W | 3729 W |
| Efficiency | 18.5 J/TH | 16.5 J/TH |
| Cooling Method | Air | Air |
| Dimensions (mm) | 430 x 155 x 226 | 400 x 195 x 290 |
| Weight | 13.5 kg | 15.5 kg |
| Release Date | شهر أكتوبر ٢٠٢٣ | نوفمبر ٢٠٢٤ |
Performance and Efficiency
When the Whatsminer M60S was released in late 2023, it set a new benchmark for efficiency among air-cooled Bitcoin miners. With a hashrate of 186 terahashes per second (TH/s) and a power draw of 3441 watts, it achieved an energy efficiency of 19.25 joules per terahash (J/TH). That was a clear improvement over most models available at the time. For example, the Antminer S19j Pro ran at around 29.5 J/TH, the Whatsminer M50S at 26 J/TH, and even the more advanced Antminer S19 XP came in at 21.5 J/TH. The M60S offered a meaningful leap forward in performance-per-watt while remaining compatible with standard air-cooled setups.
However, by 2024, a new generation of Bitcoin miners had arrived, offering better efficiency than the models that came before. The Sealminer A2 is one of them. It delivers 226 TH/s while drawing 3729 watts, which works out to 16.5 joules per terahash (J/TH), a clear improvement over the M60S. Higher efficiency reduces electricity costs and speeds up return on investment. When a miner uses less energy to produce the same or more hashrate, the savings add up quickly. That’s where newer models like the A2 outperform older ones like the M60S. Let’s look at how that plays out in terms of profitability.
Profitability Outlook: Daily Numbers Tell the Story
In a direct comparison of Sealminer A2 vs Whatsminer M60S, the A2 stands out with its lower energy consumption and faster ROI. While both machines earn similar daily profits, in Bitcoin mining it is very important to consider how long a machine takes to pay for itself. The Sealminer A2 consistently reaches a shorter return on investment, especially at higher electricity prices. This is a good insurance policy for the future, as network difficulty continues to increase. Price-per-terahash plays a key role in achieving this. At the time of writing, the M60S averages around $15.77/TH, while the A2 is priced more competitively at approximately $13.11/TH, a difference that adds up significantly in bulk purchases.
Thanks to its lower price per terahash and better energy efficiency, the A2 reaches return on investment much faster across all electricity price points. That advantage becomes more noticeable the higher the electricity cost. At $0.10 per kilowatt-hour, the M60S no longer reaches ROI at all, while the A2 still manages to stay profitable, though barely. At more typical rates like $0.06 or $0.04, both machines perform well, but the A2 still pays itself off months earlier. The difference comes down to efficiency. The A2 uses less energy per terahash, which gives it more resilience in low-margin conditions.
Let’s not forget that these figures are based on current Bitcoin prices. If the price of Bitcoin drops, efficiency becomes even more important. At $0.10 per kilowatt-hour, the M60S already fails to reach ROI. Lower Bitcoin prices would make this much worse. On the other hand, if Bitcoin rises, the numbers improve across the board. Even at higher electricity costs, payback periods would become viable again.
Design, Deployment, and Practical Considerations
From a deployment standpoint, the M60S and the A2 are pretty similar in many respects. Both rely on air cooling, which simplifies setup and avoids the complexity of hydro or immersion systems. Their weights are relatively similar, and they can both be installed and serviced by a single technician. One standout feature of the Sealminer A2 is its ability to operate in a wider range of temperatures. The air-cooled model is rated for –20°C to 50°C, offering more flexibility in extreme environments compared to typical miners like the M60S.
However, the M60S has a slimmer form factor, which might be beneficial in racked or space-constrained environments. The A2 is slightly shorter but wider and taller, which may influence rack layout and airflow considerations in larger operations. In terms of noise, both models are typical of high-performance ASICs. Expect over 75 dB at full load, necessitating soundproofing or isolated environments.
Where the M60S really shines is ease of use. With a proven track record and years of firmware refinement, it’s a plug-and-play solution that miners trust. By contrast, while the A2 performs well on paper, it’s newer and may require a little more tweaking, particularly in early firmware versions.
Support and Reliability
MicroBT has earned a solid reputation by producing reliable machines and backing them with strong support. The M60S is part of a well-established product line. Its firmware is mature, spare parts are easy to source, and it’s supported by a large network of technicians and experienced users. Most operational issues are well-documented, and long-term maintenance is predictable.
Bitdeer is newer to the hardware market. The Sealminer A2 has made a strong first impression, and early feedback has been positive. But as a new model, its long-term reliability is still unknown. It hasn’t yet gone through the full cycle of extended deployment and stress in varied environments. That matters, because even the most efficient miner becomes unprofitable if downtime is high or replacements are slow. Until the A2 proves itself over time, the M60S remains the safer option for miners who prioritize stability and durability.
Should You Stick With the M60S or Upgrade?
The Whatsminer M60S is still a strong option in 2025. It’s reliable, well-supported, and familiar to most operators. For miners with existing infrastructure or those who prefer a proven machine, the M60S remains a practical choice, especially in regions with lower electricity prices.
The Sealminer A2 delivers better efficiency and a higher hashrate, which allows it to reach ROI more quickly and stay profitable in less favorable conditions. If it proves to be as reliable as early results suggest, it could be the better long-term option for miners facing higher operating costs.
The decision comes down to risk and context. If you want a machine that’s already field-tested and supported across the board, the M60S is a safe bet. If you’re comfortable with a newer model and want to prioritize faster payback, the A2 is likely the better fit.