The Nerdminer V2 and the NerdNOS both do solo mining, both run around the clock and both are open source. The technical differences are big, though, and the right choice depends on what you want. This comparison goes through it step by step: technology, block chance, power and costs, noise, setup and whether running both together makes sense.
ESP32 learning device. Silent, under 1 watt, from €49.99. You take part in the Bitcoin network with minimal power, but with the same function as industrial miners.
ASIC solo miner for the home. Active cooling, about 8 watts, €99 as a complete set. The same BM1397 chip as in the industrial Antminer S17, just on its own on a board that fits in a living room.
The quick decision
Which one suits you?
🔇 Try it out silently
Then the Nerdminer V2 is your device: silent, under 1 watt, from €49.99, set up in a few minutes. The solo miner for a quiet corner, the bedroom or as a gift, without any noise at all.
⚡ Real ASIC solo mining
Then go for the NerdNOS: a real BM1397 ASIC with 80 to 135 GH/s, for €99 including power supply and cable. Far more attempts at a whole block, at around €25 in electricity per year.
🎯 Ideally both
The V2 runs silently around the clock on the side, the NerdNOS sits on the desk as a real hashrate contribution. Two devices, the same solo pool, the same address possible.
And the BitMiner One?
Another option if a larger touch display and more power than the V2 matter to you; more on that below. The current overview with prices and what's in the box is in the device comparison.
The hard numbers: hardware comparison
The key difference: microcontroller and ASIC
The V2 uses an ESP32-S3; the BitMiner24 firmware combines hardware and software calculations. It reaches up to 300 kH/s. The NerdNOS adds a BM1397 ASIC specialized in Bitcoin calculations and works in the GH/s class. So it is not "the better V2" but a fundamentally different class of device.
| Feature | Nerdminer V2 | NerdNOS |
|---|---|---|
| Mining chip | ESP32-S3 (microcontroller) | BM1397 ASIC (from the Antminer S17) |
| Hashrate | up to 300 kH/s | 80 to 135 GH/s |
| Power consumption (measured) | ~0.95 W avg. | ~7.8 W avg. (7–8 W) |
| Electricity cost/year (Germany) | ~€2.91 | ~€25 (calculated with around 8 W) |
| Efficiency (J/TH) | ~3,800,000 J/TH | ~65 J/TH, orders of magnitude better |
| Cooling | Passive, completely silent | Active fan, audible |
| Firmware | BitMiner24 firmware (open source) | BitMiner24 firmware (open source) |
| Setup | setup Wi-Fi with QR code in the browser; after a firmware update also the BitMiner24 app | BitMiner24 app (older firmware: Hashlink app or setup Wi-Fi) |
| Display | 1.9-inch color display (320 × 170), several views | Color display + web dashboard |
| Power supply | USB-C, 5 V power supply needed separately | Includes 5 V power supply and USB-C cable |
| Price (from) | €49.99 | €99.00 (incl. power supply + cable) |
What 400,000× more hashrate means for your solo block
Always compare number and unit: 1 GH/s is 1,000,000 kH/s. A NerdNOS at 120 GH/s makes around 400,000× as many attempts per second as a V2 at 300 kH/s. This is an example calculation with these values, not a fixed performance promise for every NerdNOS batch or firmware.
Both devices are fair solo miners in the Bitcoin network, and that is exactly the appeal. Every new block is a new draw your miner takes part in, and there are a few documented finds by hobby hardware in the GH/s class of the NerdNOS. The block reward is 3.125 BTC, and with solo mining it is all yours if you succeed.
At the same network difficulty, the chance grows with the hashrate actually delivered. A second device with far less power therefore does not double the total chance; what counts is the sum of the hashrates, not the number of cases. Solo mining also means no regular small payouts: a block find is rare, and a higher hashrate promises neither a date nor a guaranteed return.
Power consumption and costs compared
In energy terms the V2 is unbeatable, and the NerdNOS is unremarkable. Measured in 24-hour operation:
- V2, 0.95 W avg.: around 8.3 kWh/year, about €2.91 in electricity costs in Germany
- NerdNOS, 7.8 W avg. measured: around 68 kWh/year; calculated with around 8 W, about €25 in electricity costs in Germany
The difference per year: around €22. Your rate determines the actual amount. Detailed data: V2 power measurement and NerdNOS power measurement.
When buying, compare the total price including the accessories you need. With the V2, a cable is included depending on the variant; you need a suitable USB power supply in addition. With the NerdNOS, the power supply and USB-C data cable are part of the set.
Cost overview: what am I really investing?
| Cost item | Nerdminer V2 | NerdNOS |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | €49.99 | €99.00 (incl. power supply + cable) |
| Shipping (Germany) | free | free |
| Electricity year 1 | ~€2.91 | ~€25 |
| Total year 1 | ~€53 | ~€124.00 |
| Total after 5 years | ~€65 | ~€224.00 |
Even after five years, the NerdNOS stays in the range of "one magazine subscription a month", clearly within a hobby budget.
Noise and form factor
For a particularly quiet spot, the V2 is the obvious choice: it is passively cooled and has no fan. With the NerdNOS the fan is part of operation, and in return it delivers ASIC computing power.
🔇 Nerdminer V2
- Completely silent, no fan
- Fine for the bedroom
- Mini stick, almost invisible
- Ideal for any quiet corner
🔊 NerdNOS
- Fan always runs at full speed, clearly audible (about 42 dB )
- No problem on a desk
- Small device with stand and fan
- Not really recommended for the bedroom
Both devices have a color display. The new firmware versions unify how mining, history, clock and network data are shown; the same design does not make the devices identical hardware, though.
Setup and operation
Both need a reachable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and your own Bitcoin receiving address. You set up the NerdNOS over Bluetooth with the BitMiner24 app, and the V2 via the setup Wi-Fi with the QR code. After a firmware update, the Nerdminer V2 can also be set up with the BitMiner24 app.
To the V2 guide · To the NerdNOS guide
Bitcoin address: the requirement for both
Whichever device you choose, you need your own Bitcoin address that receives the block reward in the (unlikely) event of a hit. Both miners work with SegWit (bc1q…) or Legacy (1… / 3…). Taproot (bc1p…) does not work on either.
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eToro risk warning: Your capital is at risk. Crypto assets are highly volatile, other fees and taxes may apply.
Which one is right for you?
Because both devices end up working on the same block, the spec table does not decide; a more honest question does: Which device will you enjoy more day to day? The almost invisible, silent solo miner that just runs along in the corner, or a real ASIC on the desk whose dashboard you look at? Both are right.
✓ Nerdminer V2, if you …
- want to try Bitcoin mining without investing much
- are looking for a silent miner for the bedroom or a quiet office
- are looking for a compact gift for a crypto fan
- want absolutely minimal power consumption (under €3 a year)
- want to run the device from a laptop or a USB power bank
⚡ NerdNOS, if you …
- want to do solo mining seriously, without industrial hardware
- want to hold a real ASIC chip in your hand, not a simulator
- are interested in open-source firmware
- have room on your desk and an audible fan is okay
- accept around €25 of electricity a year for a much higher hashrate
When is the NerdNOS NOT worth it?
- Bedroom placement. The fan is audible. For people sensitive to noise, the V2 remains the choice.
- Mobile mining or power bank operation. The NerdNOS needs a stable 8 W from the included power supply.
- Complete beginners without Wi-Fi know-how. Setup is easy, but if you have never connected a device to your own Wi-Fi, you might start with the V2 first.
When the One belongs on your shortlist
The One is aimed at users who want a larger 2.8-inch touch display and around 1,000 kH/s as the current reference value. Like the V2, it is a microcontroller miner, so it does not replace the GH/s performance class of the NerdNOS.
Compare the V2, One and NerdNOS in full
Or both together?
The combo for serious solo miners: the V2 as a silent always-on runner and the NerdNOS on the desk as a real hashrate contribution. Both use the same solo pool and can use the same Bitcoin address; different device names help you tell them apart. In terms of power, the V2 is negligible.
A bundle makes sense if you want to use both or give one away. Check what's in the box and the price against the individual devices.
What stays the same: the shared basis
- Solo pool: Both usually use
public-pool.io(free, no account) - Bitcoin address: SegWit (
bc1q…) or Legacy (1…/3…), Taproot does not work on either - Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz (no 5 GHz)
- Block reward: 3.125 BTC on a block find, all yours on both because it is solo mining
- Open source: Both firmwares are open
Frequently asked questions
How much more hashrate does the NerdNOS have than the Nerdminer V2?
Around 400,000× as much, calculated with 120 GH/s for the NerdNOS against 300 kH/s for the V2, at only around 8 times the power consumption. Per watt, the ASIC is dramatically more efficient.
Can I run the Nerdminer V2 and the NerdNOS side by side?
Yes. Both use the same solo pool and can use the same Bitcoin address (or different ones). The V2 uses so little power that it barely shows; you have two independent solo miners whose hashrates add up.
Is the NerdNOS worth it without prior Nerdminer V2 experience?
Yes, if you have basic Wi-Fi know-how. Setup is similar to a smart home bulb. If you can manage that, you can manage the NerdNOS in about 5 minutes.
Is the NerdNOS hashrate limited to 8 watts?
The BM1397 ASIC in the NerdNOS deliberately runs economically so it only uses around 8 W. Our firmware sets the clock (275 MHz), and it cannot be changed in the dashboard. With the fixed core voltage of the NerdNOS, a higher clock brings no extra performance, only more heat.
Which one has the better energy efficiency?
The NerdNOS, by orders of magnitude. The BM1397 ASIC works at around 65 J/TH and is optimized precisely for Bitcoin hashing. The V2 microcontroller uses little power in absolute terms, but is extremely inefficient per hash.
Do I need a Bitcoin address for both devices?
Yes. Both work with a SegWit address (bc1q…) or a Legacy address. You can get an address, for example, through a free account with eToro or with your own wallet such as Tangem.
Further reading in the Nerdminer Guide
- Nerdminer Guide: all topics at a glance
- What is the NerdNOS? The honest solo miner guide
- Set up the NerdNOS in 5 minutes
- NerdNOS power consumption: the calculation in detail
- Nerdminer vs. BitAxe: the class comparison
- Bitcoin solo mining 2026: the hands-on guide
Transparency note: The eToro and Tangem links are affiliate links: if you sign up or order through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Crypto assets are highly volatile and a total loss is possible. The Nerdminer V2 and the NerdNOS are our own products. Our assessments are not affected by this: both devices are solo miners in the Bitcoin network, and what you buy is the experience, the real chance and the learning effect, not a guaranteed return.
Both solo miners at BitMiner24
The Nerdminer V2 as a silent entry from €49.99 or the NerdNOS as a real ASIC step up for €99, both with free shipping within Germany from Stuttgart, both open source.
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