Zcash Mining: What are the best Zcash miners on the market?
summary
Cryptocurrencies are considered a viable alternative to fiat money and proof of inflation, but most cryptocurrencies make their transaction history and the information they hold public to everyone within the network. This raises privacy concerns for users, and Zcash solves them by giving control to users. Zcash is a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, but with some additional useful features. Zcash transaction data is available on public blockchains like Bitcoin, but users can secure their transactions through protected addresses.
Therefore, Zcash has attracted a lot of attention and Zcash mining is also increasing. While the Antminer Z15 is already dominating the Zcash mining market, the release of the Antminer Z15 Pro is now making headlines. In this blog, we will guide you through Zcash basics and algorithms, comparing the best Zcash miners, taking a look at the Antminer Z15 Pro, and more.
What is Zcash?
Built on the original Bitcoin code base, Zcash was launched in 2016 as an advanced version of Bitcoin with important improvements such as protected addresses. It was first called Zerocoin, then Zerocash, and eventually Zcash. Zcash offers the added advantage of confidential transactions and financial privacy, unlike Bitcoin, through protected addresses. Therefore, Zcash is as secure as Bitcoin but guarantees financial privacy. In fact, Zcash was the first project to implement zk-SNARK, a zero-knowledge encryption format that guarantees superior privacy compared to other digital currencies.
Zero-knowledge proofs verify transactions without revealing the sender, recipient, or transaction amount. Users may also choose to disclose optional features, such as the transaction amount of Zcash transactions, for auditing or other purposes. Moreover, Zcash has continued to evolve since its launch in 2016. For example, Zcash launched a unified address format in 2022, making Zcash transactions easier. Unified addresses improve Zcash interoperability between wallets and exchanges, providing the best user experience. Zcash is available on major exchanges and digital wallets.
Zcash mining using ASIC
Like other cryptocurrency mining, Zcash mining also requires miners to verify transactions and add them to the blockchain network. Zcash also follows a Bitcoin-like proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism to secure its network. PoW mechanisms require high computational power because miners must solve complex mathematical algorithms to identify blocks. Miners compete with each other, and those who solve the algorithm are rewarded with newly minted coins.
Early miners used graphics processing units (GPUs) to mine Zcash. However, since the release of Antminer Z9 mini in June 2018, many ASICs have been released on the market and are experiencing network difficulties. Therefore, miners started relying on ASICs to mine Zcash. This in turn paved the way for many new ASIC Zcash miners. Additionally, mining experts recommend using ASIC miners to mine Zcash due to network difficulties.
Equihash Algorithm
The Equihash algorithm was developed to address the risks of centralized mining. For example, Bitcoin mining using the SHA-256 algorithm allows a single ASIC miner to utilize half the network’s mining power and take over the network if necessary.
The Equihash algorithm, with its decentralized mining motif, was developed by Alex Biryukov and Dmitry Khovratovich, part of the research group CryptoLUX at the University of Luxembourg. Equihash uses a proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm and offers a decentralized mining process and significant resistance to ASICs. Therefore, ASIC miners are designed specifically for the Equihash algorithm.
However, the Equihash algorithm places extreme RAM requirements. Simply put, according to Equihash, mining volume depends on hardware memory.
Some features of the Equihash algorithm are:
- This helps with decentralized mining.
- Provides network scalability.
- It requires a huge amount of memory.
- Flexibility to accommodate future changes and improvements.
So overall, Equihash has the potential to evolve and improve with better features to meet the customized needs of your project.
Former Equihash Miner
Previously, miners used CPUs and GPUs to mine Zcash. But once ASICs were launched for Equihash mining, there was no looking back. Let’s discuss some of the Equihash miners used in the past.
- Antminer Z9 mini: Released by Bitmain in June 2018, Z9 mini was one of the early ASICs customized for the Equihash algorithm. It has a hash rate of 10ksol/s at a power consumption of 300W.
- Antminer Z9: Bitmain launched Z9 in September 2018, shortly after Z9 mini for the Equihash mining algorithm. This model has a maximum hash rate of 42ksol/s at a power consumption of 970W.
- Antminer Z11: Released in April 2019, Antminer Z11 also works on the Equihash algorithm. It has a hash rate of 135ksol/s at a power consumption of 1418W.
Z15 vs Z15 Pro comparison
Let’s compare Z15 and Z15 Pro to better understand the features and functions.
Antminer Z15
Bitmain launched Antminer Z15 to mine the Equihash algorithm with a power efficiency of 3.6J/KSol, a power consumption of 1510W, and a maximum hash rate of 420ksol/s.
Specification
| Model | Z15 |
| Algorithm | cryptocurrency | Equihash | ZEC |
| Hash rate (KSol/s) | 420 |
| Wall Power (Watts) | 1510 |
| Power efficiency (J/Ksol) at wall @25°C | 3.60 |
Hardware configuration
| network connection mode | RJ45 Ethernet 10/100M |
| Miner size (length*width*height, without package), mm(1-1) | 245*132.5*290 |
| Net weight, kg(2-1) | 5.90 |
Environmental Requirements
| Ieast | common | max | |
| Operating temperature (°C) | 0 | 25 | 40 |
| Storage temperature (°C) | -40 | 25 | 85 |
| Operating humidity (non-condensing), RH | 5% | 95% |
Check it out: Bitmain Antminer Z15
Antminer Z15 Pro
Bitmain has just launched the Antminer Z15 Pro for Equihash mining, with an energy efficiency of 3.15J/KSol, power consumption of 2560W, and a maximum hash rate of 840ks0l/s.
Specification
| Model | Z15 Pro |
| Algorithm | cryptocurrency | Equihash | ZEC |
| Hash rate (KSol/s) | 840 |
| Wall Power (Watts) | 2560 |
| Power efficiency (J/Ksol) at wall @25°C | 3.15 |
Hardware configuration
| network connection mode | RJ45 Ethernet 10/100M |
| Miner size (length*width*height, without package), mm(1-1) | 245*132.5*290 |
| Net weight, kg(2-1) | 5.90 |
Environmental Requirements
| operating temperature (℃) | 0~40 |
| Storage temperature (°C) | -20~70 |
| Operating humidity (non-condensing), RH | ≤2000 |
Check it out: Bitmain Antminer Z15 Pro
The Future of Zcash Mining
The future of Zcash mining directly depends on the price of Zcash. The higher the price, the more miners mine and the more profit they make. Let’s take a look at Zcash’s past price history to determine the future of Zcash mining.
Source: CoinLore
However, the future or price of Zcash mining cannot be predicted as it depends on factors such as market trends, network demand, regulatory environment, etc. Therefore, like any other investment, miners need to watch the market and play it safe.
Comparison of the best Zcash miners
As Bitmain launches the Antminer Z15 Pro, here is a comparison of the best Zcash miners on the market.
1. Bitmain Antminer Z15
Bitmain Antminer Z15 tops the Equihash algorithm mining list with a hash rate of up to 420ksol/s at a power consumption of 1510W. Provides energy efficiency of 3.6J/KSol.
Specification
| Manufacturer | Bitmain |
| Model | Antminer Z15 |
| release | June 2020 |
| size | 133x245x290mm |
| weight | 9000g |
| noise level | 72dB |
| Pan | 2 |
| strength | 1510W |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Interaction | ethernet |
| temperature | 5 – 45℃ |
| humidity | 5~95% |
2. Bitmain Antminer Z9 Mini
The next best one also comes from Bitmain. One of the early Equihash miners, the Antminer Z9 Mini, is still the best with a maximum hash rate of 10ksol/s at a power consumption of 300W and an energy efficiency of 30J/KSol.
Specification
| Manufacturer | Bitmain |
| Model | Antminer Z9 Mini |
| release | June 2018 |
| chip board | three |
| noise level | 65dB |
| Pan | One |
| strength | 300W |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Interaction | ethernet |
| temperature | 0~40℃ |
| humidity | 5~95% |
Check out: Bitmain Antminer Z9 mini
3. InnoSilicon A9 Z Master
Innosilicon’s A9 ZMaster is also one of the reputed Equihash miners in the market. It delivers hash rates of up to 50ksol/s at a power consumption of 620W and an energy efficiency of 12.4J/KSol.
Specification
| Manufacturer | Inosilicon |
| Model | A9 Z Master |
| release | June 2018 |
| size | 125x155x360mm |
| weight | 5920g |
| noise level | 70dB |
| Pan | 2 |
| strength | 620W |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Interaction | ethernet |
| temperature | 5 – 45°C |
| humidity | 5 – 95% |
Payment: Innosilicon A9 ZMaster
4. Bitmain Antminer Z9
One of the earliest Equihash miners released, the Antminer Z9, is still widely used by Zcash miners around the world. This model offers a hash rate of up to 42ksol/s at a power consumption of 970W and an energy efficiency of 23.095J/KSol.
Specification
| Manufacturer | Bitmain |
| Model | AntMiner Z9 |
| release | September 2018 |
| size | 132x226x279mm |
| weight | 4700g |
| chip board | three |
| number of chips | 48 |
| noise level | 75dB |
| Pan | 2 |
| strength | 970W |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Interaction | ethernet |
| temperature | 5~40°C |
| humidity | 5~95% |
Check out: Bitmain Antminer Z9
5. Bitmain Antminer Z11
Bitmain’s Antminer Z11 is one of the popular Zcash miners, with a maximum hash rate of 135ksol/s at a power consumption of 1418W and an energy efficiency of 10.504J/KSol.
Specification
| Manufacturer | Bitmain |
| Model | AntMiner Z11 |
| release | April 2019 |
| size | 134x242x302mm |
| weight | 5400g |
| chip board | three |
| chip size | 12nm |
| number of chips | 9 |
| noise level | 170dB |
| Pan | 2 |
| strength | 1418W |
| Voltage | 12V |
| Interaction | ethernet |
| temperature | 5 – 45 ℃ |
| humidity | 5~95% |
Check out: Bitmain Antminer Z11
Take a quick look at the Antminer Z15 Pro launch
Bitmain’s tweet The launch of the Antminer Z15 Pro has created quite a buzz among Zcash miners around the world. Bitmain also posted the specifications of the Z15 Pro and other details such as the price announcement date and delivery date.
Delivery details and delivery
All ASIC miners from the China-based company Bitmain are manufactured in China. Here’s what Bitmain says about shipping and delivery of the Antminer Z15 Pro.
- Antminer Z15 Pro will be released on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, once Bitmain receives full payment, it will schedule delivery.
- Because customs policies vary from country to country, miners must be aware of customs documentation requirements. Bitmain is not responsible for customs clearance delays or unexpected costs.
- You can download the Certificate of Conformity and other important details for Bitmain product customs clearance from our support page.
conclusion
With the highest hash rate, energy efficiency and performance, Antminer Z15 Pro is a product of industry expert Bitmain. Investing in the Antminer Z15 Pro will allow miners to explore the best of Zcash mining and gain a competitive advantage in the evolving cryptocurrency mining industry. However, before investing in a mining machine, it is essential to do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and consider your mining preferences and budget.
