USB Bitcoin miners are not profitable due to their limited power. These small devices connect to a computer’s USB port to mine Bitcoin, but they are significantly weaker than advanced mining hardware available today. The only way to be a profitable Bitcoin miner is to use the fastest and most energy-efficient mining rigs called ASICs, which are specifically designed for Bitcoin mining. A USB Bitcoin miner cannot compete with ASICs, making it unprofitable.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of USB miners? Are they worth buying and can they make a profit?
What Is a USB Bitcoin Miner?
A USB Bitcoin Miner is a small device that can be plugged into the USB port of a PC or laptop to mine bitcoin. It is possible to plug multiple USB miners into a USB hub to boost the collective mining power of the computer.
Bitcoin USB Miner Profitability
Daily returns for a USB miner are likely to be just a fraction of a cent, making them unprofitable. The size of a miner’s payout depends on their share of the hashrate in a mining pool. Modern ASICs have a hash rate of at least 100 terahashes per second, performing 100 trillion hash calculations every second. They use around 19-30 Watts per trillion hashes. In comparison, some USB miners claim a hash rate of 25 gigahashes per second, which is 25 billion hash calculations every second. This is 4,000 times slower than an ASIC, and USB miners do not use 4,000 times less electricity than an ASIC.
➤ Learn more about Bitcoin mining profitability.
Benefits and Drawbacks of USB Miners
USB miners cannot compete with ASICs, making them unprofitable. Anyone suggesting otherwise is likely being dishonest or trying to sell a product that cannot make a profit. Some hobbyists may see USB miners as an accessible way to learn about Bitcoin mining, but they should be aware that there is a 100% chance of losing the money invested. It is also an unrealistic experience compared to real Bitcoin mining. Serious miners invest in more powerful machines to compete effectively in the Bitcoin mining world.
Alternatives to Home Mining
Individuals sometimes think that mining at home is their only option. This is not true; the advent of hosted mining has made mining accessible to everyone, even without technical expertise.
➤ Learn more about buying a Bitcoin mining rig.
One drawback of home mining is the noise generated by modern mining rigs, which can range between 40 and 85 decibels, similar to most vacuum cleaners. This level of noise is not suitable for a living area since miners ideally operate 24/7. This leads people to look for other solutions, such as USB miners, despite their lack of profitability.
Key Takeaways
- USB Bitcoin miners may seem appealing due to their low cost and convenience, but they are not profitable or competitive when compared to ASIC miners.
- For people who want to mine, hosted mining services offer a convenient alternative to home mining, which often produces too much noise and heat.
- USB miners cannot realistically be profitable.
