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By: Dan Murphy — Full-time Crypto Miner & Hardware Nerd
Still Mining, Still Learning, Still Stacking Stats
Dan Murphy is what he terms a 'mid-level' crypto mining expert with several years of hands-on experience. He shares practical insights on mining equipment, operations, and profitability.
Hi there. It's Dan. I've been in the Cryptocurrency Mining scene since 2014. I started with GPUs and gradually migrated to ASICs. Over the years, I've experimented with various Mining rigs and ASIC hardware. Recently, I got my hands on the Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U, and this review walks through my real experience with it, the good and not-so-good, and everything you need to know from buying this unit to running it profitably.
The post is mainly for beginners or intermediate miners considering upgrading to hydro-cooled ASIC miners or scaling their mining setup to small or mid-sized operations.
Once I UNBOXED the miner, the first thing that struck me was how robust the build was and the unmistakable, unique industrial design. I wouldn't have the setup in my spare bedroom; this was a serious piece of hardware dedicated to mining farms.
The Hydro-cooling aspect was, in fact, the MAIN DRAW for me. After dealing with air-cooled miners for years, the constant heat and humming challenged me and my family. Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U promised quieter operations and far better thermal management.
Hydro cooling suddenly became incredibly appealing.
This involved a simple plug-and-play air-cooled unit that was easily manageable thanks to its sleek design. With a sheer hash rate of 860 TH/s, the SHA-256 algorithm was and has always been impressive, but none like it.
A significant shift in mining power, the Antminer S21e Hyd 3U XP is pushing the boundaries of efficiency. Its 3U rack-mount feature is ideal for stacking in a data centre environment.
And this means I now have the perfect miner for scaling operations.
I bought my S21e XP Hyd 3U from the Miningwatchdog Marketplace after thoroughly researching where to get a new or used miner. This was early 2025, and the base price was relatively affordable.
As an experienced miner, I had to compare the prices
Platform | Price | Notes |
eBay | $24,000 | Risky for Beginners, No Warranty |
Amazon | $22,000 | Reliable, No Proof of Miner Condition |
Miningwatchdog Marketplace | $21,615 | Decent for Newcomers, Escrow Protection, Proof of Condition |
My Tip: If this is your First ASIC, or you're looking for a brand new or used miner from a reliable and verifiable source, start with MWD. Manufacturers such as Bitmain usually sell in batches, not single pieces.
Delivery is also something you should consider. Mine came within 12 business days, which was impressive as I would immediately embark on ROI when my setup was ready.
Just like cryptocurrencies, ASIC hardware prices are highly volatile. A couple of factors, including, heavily influence the hardware;
Once the price of the most valuable crypto surges, ASIC hardware prices will follow suit as mining is increasingly profitable. In a scenario where the prices dip, the miner prices also drop.
Manufacturers often sell ASIC hardware in batches, especially after release. This ensures prices differ between each release and the market conditions on the release date.
More ASIC hardware joining the network means difficulty solving blocks. Thus, the profitability expected per machine drops, as do the profitability margins and miner prices.
Introducing more efficient models by one brand or another devalues the previous model in the market. This drives buyers to buy the older model or second-hand miners of the newer model.
It's June 2025, and the Crypto community is navigating post-Bitcoin halving in April 2024. Halving reduced block rewards, bringing an unprecedented bullish run for Bitcoin prices. Those with older miners will feel the squeeze in profitability, not new miners.
Investing in the S21e XP Hyd 3U is a strategic plan in the long run, especially so as the price of Bitcoin is expected to jump over the $150K barrier in the next year or so.
Official Bitmain Site: This is the first stop for those with large-scale mining farms. The advantage here is that you buy straight from the manufacturer. However, the sales are often in batches, and the wait time is unknown, especially for new releases.
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Authorized Distributors: Several distributors partner with manufacturers, which can be a good option for many buyers. If you need a quick delivery time, this is the best option. However, the prices are slightly higher, and a lack of support has been an issue.
Specialized Crypto Mining Marketplaces: (e.g., Miningwatchdog Marketplace): A special marketplace is the best option for beginners, as you can negotiate prices with sellers.
Why not Amazon or eBay for high-value ASICS? Although many ASICs are listed on general e-commerce platforms, I strongly recommend being cautious with such purchases. Why?
Lack of Specialization: Amazon and eBay are not designed for industrial mining machinery, and the sellers are not experts in the field.
Authenticity Concerns: Counterfeit or refurbished items pose a considerable risk to buyers. You might end up with an expensive paperweight.
Lack of Industry Knowledge: Most sellers on these platforms often lack knowledge of crypto mining and may not answer your questions.
Shipping and Handling: Sellers may not guarantee proper handling during shipping and delivery.
Warranty and Support Issues: Buyers can have headaches with warranty and post-service delivery of the platform, such as live support.
It's a specialized marketplace dealing with Crypto hardware products and services. You get products and services specifically tailored for the mining industry. Here's what you get:
The platform's listings of miners are far more accurate and detailed, with proper specifications. There's also a video request to confirm the miner's condition.
Miningwatchdog Marketplace offers ESCROW SERVICES and other buyer protection policies, providing peace of mind for all parties.
On this platform, you can read reviews from the community on ASIC hardware, thereby fostering a transparent relationship with crypto die-hards.
Miningwatchdog Marketplace is built explicitly around mining hardware. People who understand crypto mining and hardware created all categories and filters.
You get real-time price tracking of all cryptocurrencies, ASIC hardware, and any relevant information relating to crypto mining.
Miningwatchdog Marketplace vets sellers rigorously, ensuring reputable distributors are on the platform. It significantly reduces the risks of listing non-functional mining hardware.
To answer the big question, how much does the Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U make?
Let's first discuss what matters most: hash rate. At 860 TH/s and a power consumption of 11180W, this unit is undoubtedly one of the most efficient SHA-256 miners available.
Estimated Daily Profit Margins as at June 2025:
Hashrate: 860 TH/S
Electricity Costs: $0.06 (Depends on your electricity grid setup and area of operation)
Bitcoin Price: $ 105,585
Daily Revenue: $45
Daily Net Profit: $18.35 (After electricity)
*Profitability will MAINLY VARY based on your electricity rate and Market conditions. I live in an area with industrial pricing set at $0.06/kWh. If you're paying higher, the profit might shrink.
Network difficulty is another aspect to consider with this unit. As more miners join the network, the difficulty of mining increases. This means you're likely going to earn less per hash. Mining pool fees are another aspect to consider, as most pools charge a small percentage fee.
Here are the Factors Influencing the Profitability of the S21e XP Hyd 3U Antminer
Hashrate: At 860 TH/s, the unit has a high hash rate, increasing your chance of finding a block or earning rewards in a pool.
Power Consumption: Drawing a maximum of 11180W, this is a significant amount of power, meaning electricity cost will be your most important critical factor.
Coin Price: Market conditions directly affect the USD value of miner rewards.
Mining Pool Fees: All mining pools charge a small percentage fee for mining services.
With 11,180W, the s21e XP Hyd 3U is a power-hungry beast, so you'll need a robust electricity and wiring setup.
I have dedicated a 240V, 50-amp circuit for each miner. Heavy-gauge wiring is the name of the game with high-quality power distribution units (PDUs) designed for mining. Please remember that proper grounding is essential for safety.
My average cost per kWh is around $0.06 to $0.10. This unit is still profitable at this rate, but low electricity costs are crucial to making mining valuable.
Yes, it's possible to underlock the miner, thus reducing power consumption; however, it will also reduce the hash rate. You can adjust this by visiting the miner's web interface, changing the frequency, and experimenting to find a balance between your setup's best efficiency and hash rate.
Powering a beast like the Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U is no easy task; electricity cost is the biggest factor determining profitability. With the model drawing 11180W, your rates will vary depending on the rates in your area.
Those using renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power, solar, and wind have the best-case scenario for cryptocurrency mining. Renewable energy drastically reduces operational costs, giving you more profit margins.
Not only does renewable energy lower monthly miner running expenses to almost zero, but it also aligns with the community's move to adopt an environmentally friendly approach.
The environment is increasingly becoming important in all industries, including cryptocurrency mining.
I've noticed hydro-cooled miners thrive in environments where you can efficiently manage the coolant loop. What does this mean?
Coolant Temperature: I ensure my inlet coolant temperatures are ideally between 20°c and 50°c. This helps me maintain a consistent temperature, which is key for optimal performance and longevity.
Coolant Flow and Pressure: A proper liquid cooling system provides steady coolant flow. I installed a dry cooler (radiator), pumps, and the correct plumbing.
Working Coolant: I prefer using antifreeze, pure water, or deionized water as my working coolant. I recommend the coolant's pH value be 7.0 to 9.0 for antifreeze, 6.5 to 7.5 for pure water, 8.5 to 9.5 for deionized water, and less than 3.5bar for coolant pressure.
Humidity: I keep the operational humidity for the Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U at 10% and 90% RH (non-considering). Excessive moisture during mining operations can lead to condensation, damaging your miner.
Ventilation for Dry Cooler: Despite the 3U Hyd S21e being hydro-coolant, the external dry cooler still needs good airflow. That's why I recommend having your hydro miner in a dedicated facility or outdoors, in cooler climates.
Since the unit primarily focuses on utilizing the SHA-256 algorithm, the most profitable miners I have mined include
Bitcoin (BTC): The ultimate price in Crypto Mining
Bitcoin Cash (BCH): A fork of Bitcoin
Bitcoin SV (BSV): Another Bitcoin fork under the SHA-256 algorithm
This is the million-dollar question for the S21e XP Hyd 3U to answer; it's highly variable. Given my electricity costs and current pool rewards, it will take me around 12 - 18 months to break even. This depends heavily on the price of mined coins, especially Bitcoin,
Network difficulty and electricity costs are also other factors to consider.
My current expected monthly profit, after electricity costs and mining pool fees, fluctuates with the price of Bitcoin but ranges between $500 and $1000.
F2Pool pays out daily once the account meets its minimum payout threshold. The pool pays in Bitcoin (BTC).
Bitcoin's Dominance
For most people and me, Bitcoin is the king of Crypto. Bitcoin is the original and most decentralized coin with the largest network effect. Undoubtedly, Bitcoin is the most widely accepted crypto with the most liquidity.
Despite other coins having merit, Bitcoin's ESTABLISHED POSITION and long-term potential make it my PRIMARY FOCUS.
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SHA-256 Algorithm
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Bitcoin SV use the same SHA-256 algorithm. SHA-256 is a well-established, secure, and trustworthy mining hardware and software ecosystem—S21e XP Hyd 3U, designed to mine SHA-256 coins efficiently and effectively.
I chose SHA-256 because it allows me to focus on the most mature and profitable coins. This algorithm influenced my choice of s21E XP Hyd 3U, as I wanted a Unit optimized for Bitcoin Mining, with the model a top-tier performer in this category.
I recommend doing proper research, especially for newbies. Choosing a mining pool is crucial as it dictates how frequently I will receive payouts and whether I will get stable earnings from the pool.
Here are some of the more popular Mining Pools
AntPool: This mining pool is owned by the Antminer's manufacturer, Bitmain.
Binance Pool: Are you already a Binance user? Their mining pool offers seamless integration, especially for those with exchange accounts.
F2Pool: One of the largest, if not the biggest known, mining pools with regular and stable payouts.
Poolin: A global mining pool with competitive fees.
ViaBTC: A well-established mining pool with a solid reputation from miners, offers various payment methods.
When choosing a miner, consider the following;
Fees: Pool fees usually range from 0% to 4%
Minimum Payout Threshold: Consider how much you need to mine before withdrawing.
Payout Method: These include PPS (Pay-Per-Share), PPS+ (Pay-Per-Share Plus), FPPS (Full Pay Per-Share), PPLNS (Pay-Per-Last-N-Shares). FPPS and PPS+ are widely used as they offer more consistent payouts.
User Interface and Support: A user-friendly interface with responsive support is always a plus.
I noticed the process is relatively standard across ASIC miners. Here's a simplified guide to help beginners looking to sign up with Mining pools.
Go to the website of your chosen Mining Pool (e.g., AntPool or F2Pool) and create an account. You'll be required to provide a username and password.
Once logged in, you'll usually find an option to 'add worker' or have to 'create a sub-account.' Give your worker a name you'll easily remember example, S21eXPHYD3U-A. I also recommend setting up a worker password. For many pools, the latter is optional or marked as 'X.'
Connect this unit to your local network via an Ethernet cable. The next step should be to use an IP Scanner tool (I recommend Angry IP Scanner) to find the miner's IP address. Once you have the IP address, enter it into your web browser. You'll be prompted to input the username and password. The default access for this step is usually {root}
Go to the {Miner Configuration} or {Settings} section on your miner's web interface.
Go to fields for {Pool URL} {Worker Name} and {Password}
The next step is to enter the primary pool URL provided by your chosen mining pool, E.g, stratum+tcp://btc.f2pool.com:3333)
Enter the full worker's name, e.g, yourusername.S21eXPHYD3U-A
Enter the worker password (insert 'X' if no password is required)
Please note that many miners allow users to set up multiple backup pools.
Mining Pool: I'm currently using F2pool. I chose them because they're well-established and one of the largest Bitcoin mining pools. F2Pool offers stable payouts and is a reliable platform with a good reputation in the community.
Monitoring your mining operations is key to an efficient and profitable mining experience. Some of the key aspects to check include:
Mining Pool Dashboard: Any mining pool you choose will have a detailed dashboard. Please familiarize yourself with it to see your real-time hash rate, earned rewards, worker status, etc.
- Miner's Web Interface: This Antminer's web interface provides a local view of its real-time performance, including hash rate, temperature, fan speed, etc.
- Mobile Apps: I have seen a surge in mining pools offering dedicated mobile apps. I'm now able to monitor my mining sessions on the go.
- Third-Party Monitoring Tools: For those with larger operations, consider having professional farm management software integrate with various systems for your mining operations.
For cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, I highly recommend having a hardware wallet. Ledger or Trezor are some of the best options.
I insist you double-check your wallet address before any transaction; a misstep can lead to an irretrievable address.
Check and confirm your wallet to confirm any payouts sent or received regularly, especially those matching your pool's schedule.
Here's A List of Miners that Pair Well with the Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U
You can get the WhatsMiner M60 Hydro, Antminer T21, and S19 XP Hydro, which are perfect for legacy compatibility.
Expanding your mining operations is exciting, especially for those looking to take up mining full-time. One thing I love about Antminer S21E XP HYD 3U is that it fits nicely into a scalable hydro-cooled ecosystem of miners. Maintaining consistency is the only way forward to ensuring maximum growth.
When considering miners, I usually check high-efficiency, aiming to maximize the total hash rate while optimizing energy efficiency.
The S21E XP HYD 3U is simply a beast, offering a significantly higher hash rate per unit than the S21 immersion. Due to the cooling structure, the S21e XP Hyd 3U costs more; however, its efficiency is better in output per miner.
S21 Immersion and other immersion coolers require a different setup, with submersion being a dielectric fluid. Despite being highly efficient, they need specialized equipment and tanks for setup considerations.
MY ADVICE:
If you want to invest in the hydro-cooling system, stick with it and go for the S21E XP HYD 3U for seamless integration. This is a great FOUNDATIONAL MINER to build around due to its high efficiency and hydro cooling.
I also have to mention other good pairings for hydro-cooling mining. With new models released each year, the best approach is to keep an eye out for them. The goal is to find miners that can plug directly into your existing closed-loop liquid cooling system.
Mixing air-cooled miners with hydro-cooled miners in the same immediate vicinity is often inefficient. You'll need separate cooling strategies.
As with any high-performance machinery, your miners need proper care and maintenance to run efficiently and last longer. How do you achieve this?
Regular Cleaning
Dust accumulates everywhere, even in a hydro-cooling setup with external components facing the wrath. I clean the exterior regularly and the dry cooler's fins to ensure optimal heat dissipation.
Coolant Monitoring
Check your coolant levels, pH, and pressure consistently. Top up and replace the coolant as needed.
Firmware Updates
Check for firm updates released regularly, which will help improve the unit's performance, security, and stability. Apply the updates as needed.
Power Stability
Ensure clean and stable power by using surge protectors and ensuring the electrical wiring setup handles the significant load. Unstable power can damage sensitive components, making it your biggest downfall.
By diligently following these practices, you're not only prolonging the life of the S21E XP HYD 3U, but also guaranteeing consistent performance, which will ultimately maximum profitability.
One of the common issues I've encountered is coolant flow problems. Sometimes, air bubbles get trapped in the system, reducing cooling efficiency.
The Fix: Bleeding the system to remove the air.
I perform regular maintenance on the hydro system every few months. This includes checking coolant levels, clearing the dry cooler, and inspecting the hoses for leaks. I also clean the miner regularly due to dust accumulation.
Downtime is inevitable in mining. I have a spare miner on hand as a backup. I monitor my miners remotely to help quickly address and identify issues.
Period (weekly Average) |
Average Hash Rate (TH/s_ | Average Power Consumption (kWh/day) | Average Electricity Cost (USD/day) | Bitcoin (BTC) Mined | BTC Value (USD) | Net Profit (USD) |
Notes |
Week 1 – 4 (Month 1) | 855 | 268.3 | 26.83 | 0.0152 | 1064.00 | 255.48 | Initial Setup for stable performance. Calculated based on $0.10 and average BTC of $70,000 |
Week 5 – 8 (Month 2) | 858 | 268.3 | 26.83 | 0.0145 | 1087.50 | 298.48 | Network difficulty increased slightly. Bitcoin prices saw a modest climb, consistent with operations. Calculated based on $0.10 and average BTC of $75,000 |
Week 9-12 (Month 3) | 850 | 268.3 | 26.83 | 0.0130 | 845.00 | 40.08 | Higher network difficulty, Bitcoin prices experienced a significant dip. Calculated based on $0.10 and average BTC of $65,000 |
Week 13-16) Month 4) | 860 | 268.3 | 26.83 | 0.0148 | 1184.00 | 398.08 | Miner running optimally, Bitcoin prices recovered. Calculated based on $0.10 and average BTC of $80,000 |
Week 17 – 20 (Month 5) | 857 | 268.3 | 26.83 | 0.0140 | 1050.00 | 258.78 | Stable operations. BTC prices held steady. Calculated based on $0.10 and average BTC of $75,000 |
Week 21 - 24 | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing |
The s21e XP Hyd 3U has not been a rock-solid performer. If you're ready for the next level, do your homework on hydro-cooling miners, watch water quality, and sign up with a solid mining pool.
Let me know if I can help you build a hydro-rig.
The latest Antminer is designed for SHA-256 cryptocurrencies. "Hyd" means hydro-cooled, allowing extremely efficient heat dissipation and better performance.
The best coins to mine are Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and Zcash, which are designed for the SHA-256 algorithm.
S21e XP Hyd 3U boasts a staggering hash rate of 860 TH/s consuming 11180W of power with an energy efficiency of 13 J/TH
Your safest bet is with Bitmain Manufacture, which offers miners in batches or via reputable distributors such as online marketplaces and buys brand-new or used miners.
The hydro-cooling system is more involved than a typical air-cooling unit. You'll need proper liquid cooling tops, pumps, plumbing, and the correct coolant.
A hydro-cooling miner requires a dedicated liquid cooling infrastructure. It will need a dry cooler or radiator, pumps to circulate the coolant, and a closed-loop plumbing system. Other essentials include antifreeze and pure and deionized water.
Yes, I highly recommend updating the firmware. To update, navigate to the miner's web interface, type the IP address into the browser, and upload the firmware file.
For SHA-256 miners, I recommend AntPool and F2Pool. Others include Binance Pool, Poolin, and Via BTC.
It's among the most profitable miners under the SHA-256 algorithm due to its high hash rate and efficiency.
Most pools, like F2Pool, offer daily payouts if you meet their minimum requirement threshold. My payouts with F2Pool are in Bitcoin.
Regular maintenance is crucial. For the hydro system, periodic checks of coolant levels, pH, and pressure are recommended. Also, always keep your firmware updated.
Coolant flow problems are the main culprit with this model, which can reduce efficiency. The fix is to bleed the hydro system to release air carefully.
I use my Miner's dashboard to view my hash rate, earnings, and worker status.
Have a spare unit or rely on remote monitoring to quickly address and identify issues. If one miner goes offline, the others continue working, minimizing downtime impact.
Reference List
Kelly, C. (2023) Antminer S21e XP Hyd 3U: A Look inside an Immersion and hydro bitcoin miner. Hashrate Index. Available at: https://hashrateindex.com/blog/a-look-inside-an-immersion-and-hydro-bitcoin-mine/ (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Miner, S. (2025). What is Mining Efficiency? Minerstat. Available at: https://minerstat.com/help/what-is-mining-efficiency#:~:text=You%20can%20calculate%20it%20by,means%20lower%20stability%20and%20profitability. (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Coin, B. (2024). Top 10 ASIC miners for 2024: Bitcoin Block Reward, Block Size, Block Time: What’s the Difference? Coinbase. Available at: https://www.coinbase.com/learn/crypto-basics/bitcoin-block-reward-block-size-block-time-whats-the-difference (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Kaan, F. (2025). Hashrate Index Roundup. Hashrate Index. Available at: https://hashrateindex.com/blog/hashrate-index-roundup-june-02-2025/ (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Prismecs, P. (2025). Crypto Mining with Solar Panels and Renewable Energy. Prismecs. Available at: https://prismecs.com/blog/crypto-mining-with-solar-panels-and-renewable-energy#:~:text=Due%20to%20clean%20energy%20initiatives,nighttime%2C%20ensuring%20uninterrupted%20mining%20operations. (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Voskcoin, V. (2025) Liquid-Cooling Bitcoin Miners 18 Month Review [YouTube video].Voskcoin. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOCiJH5ktKI (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
Mara (2023) Immersion-cooled Bitcoin Mining Explained. Mara. Available at: https://www.mara.com/posts/immersion-cooled-bitcoin-mining-explained (Accessed: 6 June 2025).
CX, D. (2024). Cryptomining Liquid Cooling Systems. DCX. Available at: https://dcx.eu/cryptomining-liquid-cooling-systems/ (Accessed: 6 June 2025).