The year 2025 marked a significant leap in ASIC miner development: manufacturers launched devices surpassing 1 PH/s hash rate while reducing energy consumption per terahash. This shifted the equipment lineup toward large industrial rigs featuring advanced cooling systems, including hydro and immersion cooling solutions. This article compiles the top hardware contenders of the year and key insights for miners deciding whether to upgrade their fleet or adapt their facilities.
Why 2025 Was a Breakthrough Year for Mining Hardware
The key change was the emergence of devices with petahash-level hash rates, unlocking a new computational power tier for large farms and operators. Simultaneously, manufacturers improved energy efficiency measured in J/TH, lowering electricity costs per unit of hash rate. Additionally, liquid and immersion cooling systems became widespread, enabling high power density in racks and modular setups.
- Transition to petahash (PH/s) performance levels.
- Improved energy efficiency (J/TH) in flagship models.
- Widespread adoption of liquid and immersion cooling in the industry.
Top 5 Most Powerful ASIC Miners of 2025
Below is a selection of the five most notable 2025 models by hash rate with key technical specifications influencing choices for industrial and semi-industrial sites. The descriptions include only parameters provided by manufacturers and the review.
MicroBT Whatsminer M79S — 1.35 PH/s
The Whatsminer M79S from MicroBT delivers 1.35 PH/s (1350 TH/s) and is designed for hydro cooling in large farms. It operates at 14.8 J/TH energy efficiency, making it one of the most powerful total hash rate solutions in 2025. For those considering scaling, the M79S represents a petahash-class option targeting industrial infrastructure.
Bitmain Antminer S23 Hydro 3U — 1.16 PH/s
Bitmain's Antminer S23 Hydro 3U offers 1.16 PH/s (1160 TH/s) and also uses hydro cooling in a compact 3U form factor. This machine is a direct competitor to the M79S in pure hash rate and is aimed at operators ready to support closed-loop liquid cooling systems. The S23 Hydro 3U is positioned as an industrial solution for high-density farms.
Bitmain Antminer S21e XP Hydro 3U — 860 TH/s
The Antminer S21e XP Hydro 3U is a high-performance model in the S21 line featuring hydro cooling and a compact 3U assembly. It delivers 860 TH/s while consuming about 11,180 W, achieving close to 13 J/TH energy efficiency in hydro mode. The S21e XP Hydro suits those combining installation density with relatively low energy consumption per hash rate unit.
Block Proto Rig — 819 TH/s
Block's hardware division Proto Rig is a modular, air-cooled miner with an 819 TH/s hash rate and approximately 12,000 W power consumption. Designed for hashboard replaceability and durability, it offers nine hot-swappable boards within one chassis. For operators preferring air cooling and modularity, Proto Rig provides an alternative to hydro-focused systems.
Bitdeer Sealminer A3 Pro Hydro — 660 TH/s
The Sealminer A3 Pro Hydro is Bitdeer's flagship hydro-class miner delivering 660 TH/s at about 8,250 W power consumption and roughly 12.5 J/TH efficiency. It uses a closed-loop water cooling system and is designed for continuous heavy-load operation. For those considering hydro setups focused on energy efficiency, the A3 Pro Hydro is a notable option.
Miners with Hash Rates Below 0.5 PH/s
Alongside the top-tier leaders, a broad class of devices with hash rates below 0.5 PH/s remains; these machines are often chosen for their balance between power and energy or infrastructure requirements. This segment includes models emphasizing energy efficiency as well as devices with higher power demands suitable for sites with existing cooling systems.
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ and S21 XP Hydro — around 470–500 TH/s, focused on efficiency with hydro solutions.
- MicroBT Whatsminer M73S and M73S+ — near 540 TH/s with higher energy consumption than petahash-class devices.
- Bitdeer Sealminer A2 Pro Hydro and A3 Hydro — about 500 TH/s, typically used at sites with prepared hydro equipment.
- Auradine Teraflux AH3880 — around 600 TH/s but with noticeably higher power consumption compared to several competitors.
Mining Hardware Trends for 2026
Based on 2025 results, further development will focus on increasing hash rate density while simultaneously reducing J/TH to lower operational costs. Liquid cooling and modular rack designs will become standard at large sites, saving space and simplifying maintenance. Manufacturers continue to seek a balance between pure hash rate and real-world energy efficiency under industrial conditions.
- Higher hash rates and energy efficiency in next-generation ASICs.
- Widespread use of liquid cooling in industrial installations.
- Modular designs for easier maintenance and farm scaling.
Why It Matters
If you mine in Russia managing from one to a thousand devices, hardware generation changes primarily impact economics: petahash farms reduce the cost per hash rate but require appropriate infrastructure. Even if you don't plan a direct upgrade, efficiency gains and the spread of hydro solutions shape market expectations for electricity and cooling costs. It's important to understand that some models demand high initial investments in cooling and power, and the choice between air and liquid cooling defines facility and service requirements.
What to Do?
The recommendations are straightforward and practical: first, assess your current electricity costs and cooling capabilities, then compare them with the technical requirements of the models you're interested in. For small farms, switching to petahash solutions may be economically unfeasible without significant infrastructure upgrades, whereas more efficient mid-range models can reduce electricity expenses. Below are concrete steps to guide your decision.
- Calculate your current electricity cost per TH and forecast the impact of new machines on the cost per TH.
- Evaluate your site's power and cooling capabilities: do you need upgrades for hydro solutions or is air cooling sufficient?
- Compare warranty and service terms from manufacturers and the availability of spare parts for chosen models.
- Read reviews and manufacturer announcements, such as new MicroBT devices, to understand hardware roadmaps.
- Follow trends and discussions on mining in 2026 to adapt your strategy to market and technology changes.
FAQ
What changed in mining hardware in 2025? 2025 saw the transition to petahash-class devices, significant improvements in energy efficiency (J/TH), and widespread adoption of liquid cooling.
Which model had the highest hash rate in 2025? The MicroBT Whatsminer M79S led with 1.35 PH/s.
Why did hydro miners dominate in 2025? Liquid cooling enabled higher hash rates with controlled temperatures and better energy efficiency at large-scale installations.
What should be considered when choosing a new miner? Assess electricity costs, site power and cooling capabilities, and service and spare parts requirements.