Today we will take a look at six major miners for the Equihash algorithm. They are Antminer Z9, Z11 and Z15 from Bitmain and also Innosilicon A9 ZMaster, A9+ ZMaster and A9++ ZMaster. Let’s take a look at their specifications, power consumption intensity and current yields.

Features of Antminer Z9

Antminer Z9 is a device from Bitmain that belongs to the beginning level of ASIC. The device was released in September 2018. Here are the main characteristics of the Antminer Z9.

• Algorithm – Equihash
• Power consumption – 1150W ± 10%
• Hash rate – 40.8 kh/s ± 5%
• Dimensions – 132 x 226 x 279mm
• Weight – 5.5 kg
• Noise level – 76 dB
• Number of fans – 2 x 12V and 2.4A
• Voltage 11.6-13V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Working temperature – 5-45°C

What to mine on Antminer Z9

As in the case of other Equihash enabled ASICs, it all comes down to a choice between Zcash ZEC and Horizen ZEN. There is also a notional Komodo KMD, but its trading volume during the last day was the equivalent of $1.6 million, which is quite low. Accordingly, owners of KMD may face a lack of liquidity when they want to sell large amounts of coins.

Indicators of the cryptocurrency Komodo KMD

We go to the website of 2CryptoCalc calculator and specify the appropriate hash rate for the desired algorithm. As a result, we see that the most profitable one is Horizon ZEN, which will yield 83 cents per day by mining on a free socket.

Daily profitability of mining on Antminer Z9

To calculate the real profitability of each miner should take into account its cost of electricity. For example, power of Antminer Z9 is 1150W, so, accordingly, it spends 27600W*h or 27.6 kW*h per day. If one kilowatt hour costs a miner in the conditional 5 rubles, then a day of work Antminer Z9 will cost 138 rubles, or 2.29 dollars at today’s exchange rate.


Accordingly, to mine on Antminer Z9 in the current environment may those who have electricity costs a little more than 1 ruble per kWh. At the same time, it is easier for fans of this cryptocurrency with ASIC and a more expensive socket to buy the coin on the exchange.


Mining settings for Antminer Z9

If you are able to mine Horizen ZEN cryptocurrency, the following settings are worth using for the Antminer Z9:


URL: stratum+tcp://zen.2miners.com:3030
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Details on wallets, settings and other trivia are available on 2Miners’ ZEN pool page.

Where to download firmware for Antminer Z9

Firmware is an important component in the work of ASIC-mainers, because with it not only support for new coins, but also just optimize their work and get rid of bugs. As of early September, the latest firmware for Antminer Z9 is the file ANTMINER-Z9-fixed-500M-201905171645.tar.gz dated 21 May 2019. It is available on the official Bitmain website.

Official Antminer Z9 firmware on Bitmain website

Alternative firmware for Antminer can also be found on the internet. For example, this firmware from August 2018 overclocks the device. That said, all such unofficial variants are used at your own risk.

Antminer Z9 alternative firmware

Antminer Z11 specifications

Antminer Z11 is a more advanced model from Bitmain. This is noticeable by hash rate of 135 kh/s and increased power consumption. Here are the main characteristics of Antminer Z11.

• Algorithm – Equihash
• Power Consumption – 1418W ±10%
• Hash rate – 135 kh/s ± 5%
• Dimensions – 134 x 228 x 279 mm
• Weight – 5.08 kg
• Noise level – 70dB
• Number of fans – 2 units
• Voltage 11.6-13.0V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Operating Temperature – 5-45°C

Which cryptocurrency to mine with Antminer Z11

Z11 hash rate is more than three times faster than Z9, which has a similar effect on the profitability. According to the 2CryptoCalc calculator, the most profitable this capacity will again be when mining Horizon ZEN. We’re talking $2.75 on a free socket.

Daily profitability of mining on Antminer Z11

With the consumption of 1418 watts and the price of a kWh of 5 rubles a day will cost 170 rubles, or 2.82 dollars. It makes sense to mine ZEN with Anminer Z11 only for those for whom electricity is cheaper than 4.85 rubles.

Mining settings for Antminer Z11

For a change, here are the settings for mining Zcash ZEC, whose yields lag behind Horizen by 10 percent.


URL: stratum+tcp://zec.2miners.com:1010
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Zcash ZEC page on 2Miners pool is available here.

Firmware for Antminer Z11

The latest firmware for Antminer Z11 called ANTMINER-Z11-fixed-718M-201910241109_4392.tar.gz was released in November 2019. It is available on Bitmain’s official website.

Official Antminer Z11 firmware on Bitmain website

Antminer Z15 specifications

Antminer Z15 differs from the listed models by its increased hash rate. It is 420 kh/s.


Antminer Z15 is also available in specifications Z15j and Z15e. Both models work with Equihash algorithm, but their hash rates are 320 and 200 kh/s respectively.


Below are specifications of Antminer Z15.

• Algorithm – Equihash.
• Power Consumption – 1510W ±10%
• Hash rate – 420 kh/s ± 5%
• Dimensions – 133 x 245 x 290 mm
• Weight 6.6 kg
• Noise level – 72 dB
• Number of fans – 2 units
• Voltage – 12 V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Working temperature – 5-45°C

What to mine on Antminer Z15

As usually, we turn to 2CryptoCalc calculator and indicate a hash rate of 420 kh/s. In response we get a yield of $8.61 when mining Horizen ZEN on a zero socket.

Daily profitability of mining on Antminer Z15

That said, the Z15’s power consumption is only slightly higher than the corresponding Z11. Therefore, intuition suggests that it is still possible to mine with such a device.

Let’s check this theory. Let’s convert a day of Z15 operation with 1510 watts and cost kWh into conditional 5 rubles and get 181 rubles or 3 dollars for electricity. Accordingly, to mine with Antminer Z15 profitable not only ZEN, but also ZEC.

Where to mine cryptocurrency on Antminer Z15

Settings for mining ZEN for Antminer Z15 are similar to the two aforementioned models. We will duplicate them just in case.


URL: stratum+tcp://zen.2miners.com:3030
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Where to download firmware for Antminer Z15

The firmware is available from the official Bitmain website. The file titled ANTMINER-Z15-user-800M-202007031139_6134.tar.gz is dated July 15, 2020, that is the most recent version among the listed models.

Official Antminer Z15 firmware on Bitmain website

Characteristics of the Innosilicon A9 ZMaster

The Innosilicon A9 ZMaster is a representative of the basic lineup for the Equihash algorithm among miners from this manufacturer. Below are the main characteristics of the device.

• Algorithm – Equihash
• Power Consumption – 620W ± 5%
• Hash rate – 50 kh/s ± 6%
• Dimensions – 125 x 155 x 360 mm
• Weight – 5.92 kg
• Noise level – 70dB
• Number of fans – 2 units
• Voltage – 12 V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Working temperature – 5-45°C

What to mine on the Innosilicon A9 ZMaster

Enter a hash rate of 50 kh/s into the appropriate line of the 2CryptoCalc calculator and you get just over a dollar of income on a zero socket.

Daily profitability of mining on Innosilicon A9 ZMaster

The A9 ZMaster costs 74 rubles, or $1.23 per day. Accordingly, at the cost of electricity of 5 rubles per kWh it is unprofitable to mine ZEN and ZEC on it. To work at zero, the price per kWh should be 4.14 rubles.

Where to mine Horizon ZEN on the Innosilicon A9 ZMaster

If your electricity price tag is lower, connect to the 2Miners pool with these settings.


URL: stratum+tcp://zen.2miners.com:3030
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



To mine ZEC you have to specify the following strings.


URL: stratum+tcp://zec.2miners.com:1010
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Where to download firmware for the Innosilicon A9 ZMaster

Latest firmware for A9 ZMaster is available at Innosilicon support page. Please specify the model you need in the table before downloading.

Official A9 ZMaster firmware on the Innosilicon website

Features of Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster

The A9 ZMaster ASIC miner is also available in advanced versions as indicated by the “+” in their names. Below are the specifications of the Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster.

• Algorithm – Equihash
• Power consumption – 1550W ±10%
• Hash rate – 120 kh/s ± 5%
• Dimensions – 155 x 250 x 360 mm
• Weight – 11 kg
• Noise level – 75dB
• Number of fans – 4 units
• Voltage – 12 V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Working temperature – 5-40°C

What to mine with the Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster

With a hash rate of 120 kh/s, A9+ ZMaster can bring in the equivalent of $2.44 per ZEN with zero electricity costs.

Daily profitability of mining on Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster

Considering the consumption of 1.55 kW which translates to 186 rubles or 3.08 dollars of electricity bill at the 5 ruble per kWh rate, mining ZEN in the current market conditions is unprofitable.

Mining settings for the Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster

If your situation is different, join Horizen mining with these settings.


URL: stratum+tcp://zen.2miners.com:3030
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Where to download firmware for the Innosilicon A9+ ZMaster

The firmware is also available there – at the official Innosilicon support site. The file is named a9+_20200611_105955.swu.

Official A9+ ZMaster firmware on Innosilicon website

Characteristics of Innosilicon A9++ ZMaster

As you can guess from the name, the A9++ ZMaster is an improved version of the previous two models. In this case, we get a slightly higher hash rate with the same power consumption as the A9+. That said, the A9++ was released four months after the A9+.

Here are its main specs.

• Algorithm – Equihash
• Power consumption – 1550W ±10%
• Hash rate – 140 kh/s ± 5%
• Dimensions – 155 x 250 x 360 mm
• Weight – 11 kg
• Noise level – 75dB
• Number of fans – 4 units
• Voltage – 12 V
• Interface – Ethernet
• Working temperature – 5-45°C

Which cryptocurrencies are mined on A9++ ZMaster

140 kh/s on the Equihash algorithm today brings $2.84 to Horizen ZEN. The ZEC figure lags behind by 8 percent.

Daily profitability of mining on Innosilicon A9++ ZMaster

Electricity costs are similar to the A9+ ZMaster, as their power consumption is the same. That is, at 5 rubles per kWh, mining cryptocurrencies is unprofitable.

Where to mine cryptocurrency on A9++ ZMaster

If you are doing better with electricity, you can mine ZEC. To do so, specify these settings.


URL: stratum+tcp://zec.2miners.com:1010
Worker: YOUR_WALLET_ADDRESS.ASIC_ID
Password: x



Where to download A9++ ZMaster firmware

Firmware for a9++_20200611_110012.swu is available on our website. You need to specify the corresponding model in the table to view it.

Official A9++ ZMaster firmware on Innosilicon website

Conclusion. Which ASIC to choose?

The current comparison allows us to draw several conclusions. First, Bitmain devices for the Equihash algorithm are more energy efficient compared to Innosilicon, because their hash rate is more attractive when power consumption is taken into account. Secondly, now many models are not able to work in the black at a kWh price of 5 rubles, so in such cases they can be used only as a heater.

ASIC miner for cryptocurrency mining

Finally, thirdly, expensive ASIC-mainers, although they require higher costs, but because of their higher efficiency they allow you to earn even in a bear market, while other models are out of business. And this is a competitive advantage and an opportunity to improve the ROI of the device.

One thing is also clear: it is always possible to make money from cryptocurrency mining at good electricity rates. In other words, you won't have to be hostage to the performance of the equipment at 1 ruble per kWh - and you won't have to pay attention to the exchange rates of coins.

Join our community of miners on Telegram. We will talk about other topics there as well.