Product Overview

The Whatsminer M50 118T is a mid-range Bitcoin (BTC) ASIC miner from MicroBT, one of China’s leading mining hardware manufacturers. Running the SHA-256d algorithm, it mines Bitcoin and other SHA-256 coins at 118 terahashes per second — making it a practical entry point into the M50 generation without the power demands of the higher-tier M50 variants.

The M50 series sits between MicroBT’s previous M30 generation and the newer M60 lineup, offering improved efficiency over older hardware while remaining accessible in terms of power infrastructure requirements. The M50 118T is specifically well-suited to miners who want proven, generation-current technology at a lower upfront cost than the flagship M50 124T or M50 126T models.

This miner is housed in a robust air-cooled enclosure and uses a dual fan-cooling system typical of the M50 series. It delivers consistent performance with MicroBT’s industry-standard reliability track record.

Key Features

• 118 TH/s hashrate: Delivers competitive Bitcoin mining performance within the M50 product family, suitable for both solo operation and pool mining participation.
• Approximately 27 J/TH efficiency: The M50 118T operates at roughly 3186W, placing it at about 27 J/TH — meaningfully more efficient than the M30S generation (34+ J/TH) and competitive with current-generation miners.
• Air-cooled dual fan design: Uses high-velocity axial fans in a standard rectangular enclosure. No proprietary cooling hardware required — standard mining farm rack deployment is straightforward.
• SHA-256d algorithm: Mines Bitcoin (BTC) as the primary coin, with compatibility for other SHA-256d networks including Bitcoin SV (BSV) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
• Standard 12V DC input: Compatible with industry-standard PSUs including the MicroBT Power Supply Unit P221 and third-party equivalents, simplifying procurement.
• Ethernet connectivity: Single RJ-45 port for wired network connection to mining pool or farm management software — no Wi-Fi, which is standard for industrial ASIC miners.
• Compact industrial form factor: At approximately 370 × 195 × 290 mm, the M50 118T fits standard 19-inch mining racks and is comparable in size to other M50-series units.

Technical Specifications

• Algorithm: SHA-256d
• Supported coins: Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Bitcoin SV (BSV)
• Hashrate: 118 TH/s (±5%)
• Power consumption: ~3186W (±10%) at 25°C ambient
• Power efficiency: ~27 J/TH (±10%)
• Cooling type: Air-cooled, dual high-speed fans
• Noise level: ~75 dB(A)
• Input voltage: 200–240V AC
• Networking: Ethernet (RJ-45)
• Operating temperature: 5°C to 45°C
• Dimensions (L×W×H): 370 × 195 × 290 mm
• Net weight: ~14.2 kg

Power & Installation Notes

South Africa’s standard domestic and light-commercial supply is 230V AC at 50Hz, which falls within the M50 118T’s accepted input range of 200–240V. No voltage converter is required, and the miner will operate normally on SA power infrastructure.

At approximately 3186W, this miner draws close to 3.2 kW continuously. This exceeds the capacity of a standard 16A domestic circuit (which tops out at around 3680W but should not be loaded beyond 80%, or approximately 2944W). A dedicated 20A or 32A circuit is strongly recommended, installed by a registered electrician. Do not run this miner on a shared domestic circuit alongside other appliances.

Load shedding is a significant operational concern for high-wattage miners in South Africa. The M50 118T’s ~3.2kW draw makes it impractical to support with a home UPS or small inverter battery during load shedding — most lithium home battery systems (e.g., 5kWh) would be depleted within roughly 90 minutes at full load. For continuous operation, a generator or commercial grid-backup solution is necessary. Miners should factor in load shedding hours when calculating effective monthly uptime.

Ensure adequate ventilation in the installation space. The M50 118T generates significant heat and requires a minimum of 200–300 mm clearance at both the inlet and exhaust fan faces. Dedicated mining rooms should have forced air extraction to maintain ambient temperature below 40°C.

Electricity Cost Context — South Africa

Running the Whatsminer M50 118T 24 hours a day at its rated 3186W draws approximately 76.5 kWh per day, or roughly 2 295 kWh per month. At Eskom’s indicative residential tariff of approximately R2.80/kWh (note: municipal rates vary — Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Tshwane all charge differently), monthly electricity costs come to approximately R6 426 per month.

Calculation: (3186 ÷ 1000) × 24 × 30 × R2.80 = ~R6 426/month.

This is a significant operating cost. The M50 118T is not recommended for home mining on standard residential tariffs unless the operator has access to below-average electricity rates (below R1.50/kWh) or is operating within a commercial/industrial tariff structure. It is best suited to mining operations with dedicated power agreements or access to renewable energy sources. This figure represents operating cost only — it is not a profitability calculation.

Ideal Use Cases

• Small commercial mining operations: Suitable for operators running 5–50 units in a purpose-built space with a commercial power supply and proper electrical infrastructure.
• Miners upgrading from older hardware: An ideal step-up for operators currently running M30S or S17-era machines who want improved efficiency without moving to the highest-cost new-generation hardware.
• Container or warehouse farms: The M50 118T’s standard form factor and air-cooling make it easy to deploy in shipping container farms or warehouse rack setups common in South Africa’s emerging mining industry.
• Pool mining participants: Works with all major Bitcoin mining pools including Foundry USA, AntPool, F2Pool, ViaBTC, and Braiins — ideal for operators who want reliable, predictable income through pool participation rather than solo mining.
• Buyers seeking value over flagship pricing: The M50 118T offers M50-generation efficiency at a lower price point than the 124T or 126T models, making it attractive for cost-conscious operators building out capacity gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Whatsminer M50 118T work on South African power?
Yes. South Africa’s 230V/50Hz supply is within the M50 118T’s 200–240V input range. A dedicated high-amperage circuit (20A–32A) is required — standard home wall sockets are not suitable.

What pool should I use with the M50 118T?
The M50 118T works with any standard Stratum-protocol Bitcoin mining pool. Popular choices include Foundry USA Pool, AntPool, F2Pool, ViaBTC, and Braiins Pool. Configure pool settings via the miner’s built-in web interface by entering your pool URL, worker name, and password.

How loud is the Whatsminer M50 118T in a home setting?
At approximately 75 dB(A), the M50 118T is unsuitable for running inside a home. 75 dB is comparable to a loud vacuum cleaner running continuously. It should be operated in a dedicated, sound-isolated space — ideally a separate room, outbuilding, or container.

What coins can I mine with the M50 118T?
The M50 118T mines any SHA-256d coin. Bitcoin (BTC) is the primary target by value. It can also mine Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Bitcoin SV (BSV), though BTC is almost always the most profitable option for SHA-256 hardware.

How does the M50 118T compare to the M50 120T and M50 124T?
The three M50 variants differ only in hashrate binning — 118T, 120T, and 124T — with near-identical form factor, cooling design, and power efficiency. The 118T is the entry-level variant, making it the most cost-effective option when buying new units. See also: Whatsminer M50 120T and Whatsminer M50 124T.

What’s Included

• 1× Whatsminer M50 118T ASIC miner unit
• 1× Integrated or bundled power supply unit (confirm with order — some configurations ship without PSU)
• Power cables (region-dependent — a South African-compatible 16A plug may need to be sourced locally or wired by an electrician)
• Ethernet cable not included
• Quick setup guide