Trio vs S9 Space Heater Kits

The Bitmain S9 has earned its place as a legendary Bitcoin miner. From the moment it launched in 2016, it was recognized for its high hashrate and efficiency, which helped drive a substantial increase in the Bitcoin network’s total mining power. Even more impressive than its initial engineering was its reliability; the S9 has remained relevant for years after its release, gaining a reputation as a robust and strong device.

Today, the S9’s price has depreciated significantly - as it’s no longer efficient enough for profitable mining at scale without valuing heat exhaust. This makes it an intriguing entry point for hobbyists. Thanks to its affordability and availability, S9 miners have become a popular choice for DIY hashrate heating and home mining. Several companies have even taken the S9 platform further, modifying and retrofitting it to create some of the first Bitcoin-powered space heater prototypes.

The Heatbit Trio builds off the success of the S9 and interest in home mining (the first generation Heatbit One device even used an S9) - with a ground up design centered around ease of use, reliable heating, and efficient mining performance. The device aims to take home mining and heating to the next level.

Here’s how S9-based DIY space heater builds compare to the Heatbit Trio—the first fully integrated, plug-and-play heating appliance powered by Bitcoin mining.

Functionality

​​The Bitmain S9 was initially designed as an industrial, single-function device, purpose-built for Bitcoin mining in large-scale facilities. After it became obsolete for industrial mining businesses as more efficient machines hit the market, its compact form, ability to operate on standard 110 V household outlets, and depreciated cost have made it popular among Bitcoin enthusiasts and companies looking to repurpose for hashrate heating and home mining applications.

 

Compared to today’s efficient and powerful industrial miners, the S9 appears more manageable and suitable for home use. However, transforming it into a home ready device with additional functionality is no small task. An S9 miner requires extensive modifications to convert it into a hashrate heating appliance that can operate effectively in a residential setting.

In contrast, the Heatbit Trio was designed specifically for home mining, heating, and air purification. From the start, the Trio was built as a high-end home appliance that seamlessly integrates mining technology. It provides substantial heating power that can replace traditional systems and includes HEPA air filters that improve air quality while protecting the device’s internal components from dust and debris. This multi-function design enhances the reliability and lifespan of the ASIC chips while bringing mining, heating, and air purification together, making the Heatbit Trio a complete package for home use.

While both devices bring Bitcoin mining and heating into the home by converting mining energy into heat, the Heatbit Trio provides additional features and ease of use that the S9 cannot match. The S9 remains a single-purpose mining device that requires significant modification and fine-tuning to function as a home heater, often with trade offs like noise, dust, network limitations, and software adjustments. The Heatbit Trio, on the other hand, arrives ready as a versatile home mining appliance, fully optimized for residential environments right out of the box.

As a miner

From a Bitcoin mining perspective, the Heatbit Trio delivers substantial mining power, operating at 400 watts to achieve 10 TH/s of computational work. The Nano 3, on the other hand, performs at 140 watts with a mining rate of 4 TH/s, resulting in fewer Bitcoin rewards in comparison but operating with lower energy demands.

 

By default, the Trio contributes its hashing power to the NiceHash Pool, while the Nano 3 connects to Braiins Pool. However, both devices can be customized to join a pool of the user’s choice.

As a heater

From a heating perspective, both devices employ Bitcoin ASIC technology to convert electricity into heat with near-perfect efficiency, rather than relying solely on traditional resistive heating elements.

However, the Heatbit Trio offers significantly more heating capability than the Avalon Nano 3. Its 400-watt mining component is combined with a 1000-watt resistive heating element, which provides a boost during the colder days of the year. This dual heating system ensures that the Trio can comfortably warm larger spaces or quickly reach desired temperatures when needed.

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This design choice clearly indicates that the Heatbit Trio was engineered as a home appliance first, similar to premium heater-purifiers, like Dyson HP07. Trio is balancing different technologies to maximize comfort and Bitcoin rewards in an energy-effective manner. 

In comparison, Canaan’s Avalon Nano 3, with its 140-watt output, treats space heating as a secondary feature to novelty home mining. To put it in perspective, the Avalon Nano 3 releases as much heat as a Playstation 5 video game console.

As an air purifier

The Heatbit Trio goes beyond hashrate heating — it also improves indoor air quality through an integrated HEPA air purification system. This feature serves a dual purpose: it improves the surrounding air quality by filtering out dust and allergens, and also protects the sensitive ASIC chips from dust buildup, which could compromise performance over time.

Designed as a home appliance first and optimized for the practical benefits of Bitcoin mining, the Trio’s air filtration system highlights Heatbit’s commitment to user-friendly functionality and long-lasting performance.

The Nano 3, on the other hand, lacks any air filtration, leaving more potential for dust and debris build up within the device on sensitive high power mining components. 

Ease of use and operation

Simplicity is key. Traditional industrial Bitcoin miners are often loud, bulky, and require technical expertise, high power access, and DIY skills to be adapted as hashrate-powered heaters for home use.

Heatbit and Canaan have both done the heavy lifting to make home mining as easy as plugging in the device and connecting it to the internet—no special setup required. 

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The Trio enhances ease of use with a faster setup, an intuitive smart touch display, and mobile app compatibility. It offers multiple mining and heating modes, convenient remote control options for managing temperature settings from anywhere, and a straightforward interface for cashing out Bitcoin mining rewards.

The Nano 3 offers a mobile application as well, although it’s limited to low-medium-high power settings and led color controls.

Both devices are extremely quiet, at 40 dB or below - no louder than a soft conversation.

Safety

Safety is essential for any device you plan to keep in your home, especially when it comes to heating. Heatbit places safety at the forefront of its product design, being the only Bitcoin mining heater with UL certification, which includes built-in tip-over protection and fire safety features for extra reassurance.

In contrast, The Avalon Nano 3 lacks any formal safety certifications. While it functions as a small-scale heater, its focus remains primarily on entry-level home Bitcoin mining rather than household heating, and it lacks the robust safety specifications that are standard for dedicated home appliances.

Cost

The price of each device reflects the unique value each one delivers. Avalon Nano 3 is an efficient option for those seeking a light introduction to home mining and some supplemental warmth.

Meanwhile, the Heatbit Trio is a premium device, built with premium materials like aviation-grade aluminum and leather. It offers an all-in-one solution that combines Bitcoin mining, heating, and air purification. While the Trio’s price may seem higher on a cost-per-mining-power basis ($/TH/s) compared to more straightforward home mining devices like the Avalon Nano 3, the additional functionality and ease of use tailored for the home - makes it much more than a simple Bitcoin miner. 

Conclusion: which device is right for you?

The choice between the Heatbit Trio and the Avalon Nano 3 depends on your needs and what you want out of a home mining device.

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If you’re looking for a practical replacement or supplement to a standard heating appliance, the Heatbit Trio is the ideal choice. Its advanced design prioritizes ease of use, safety, and power, providing enough heat for larger spaces and offering a steady return in Bitcoin over time. It’s perfect for those who want a plug-and-play device that integrates seamlessly into their living space, balancing comfort, bitcoin rewards, and air purification.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in a small, portable addition to your desk or workspace that offers light warmth, the Avalon Nano 3 could be a fun, budget-friendly entry point. While not powerful enough to replace a full room heater, it provides a heating effect alongside Bitcoin mining, making it a suitable option for smaller spaces and for users interested in a novelty, low-power device.