Antrouter R1 Review – Antminer’s Wireless Miner

The Bitmain Antrouter R1 is outdated and no longer sold by Bitmain as of 2025. However, it is still functional as a WiFi router and USB charger. With a hash rate of 5.5 GH/s, it is vastly underpowered compared to modern miners operating in the terahash range. While the Antrouter R1 consumes very little power (~4W), its energy efficiency is irrelevant because its mining output is so low that even zero electricity cost would not make it profitable.

A Look Back at The Antrouter R1 Bitcoin Miner

One of the more interesting devices manufactured by Bitmain (the leading Bitcoin mining hardware supplier today) was the Antrouter R1. The product has 2 main functions:

1. It’s just your everyday Internet router – turning wired Internet access into wireless access.
2. It’s a Bitcoin miner that allows you to compete for the chance of mining Bitcoins.

The device can also be used as a high speed USB charger –  Using a USB cable, connect your mobile device to the R1 to charge it. Android phones, iPhones, and tablets are supported.

The Antrouter R1 is occasionally available from third-party sellers, but given its outdated hardware and lack of support from Bitmain, it is not a recommended purchase. The Antrouter R1 was initially sold for $39–$48, but as of 2025, it is no longer manufactured by Bitmain. Given Bitcoin’s increased mining difficulty, the device has zero profitability and a permanent negative return due to its weak hash rate. Let’s start out with the technical specs:

Antrouter R1: Technical Specifications and Limitations

Front Panel                             Connect ethernet cable and log into the management system.
Input Voltage                         110V – 220V
Input Current                         0.2A
WiFi Standard                        802.11 g/n
WiFi Band                                 2.4G
WiFi Transmission Rate    150M
USB Charge Voltage              5.0V
USB Charge Current             Max. 2A
Dimensions                               84.5 x 56.5 x 29 mm
Temperature                             40°C (in 25°C environment)
Bitcoin Hashrate                     5.5 GH/s
Bitcoin Mining Mode             AntPool Solo Mode (Forced)

Mining Performance and Profitability in 2025

As you can see the Antrouter has a hash rate of 5.5GH/s. Just for comparison, For comparison, newer miners like the Antminer S21 Pro exceed 200 TH/s, making the Antrouter R1 obsolete.

Solo Mining: How Does it Work?

Moreover, when you’re mining with the Antrouter you’re doing what’s called “Solo Mining” – it means that  you’re not joining a pool of miner and getting rewarded for your share of the work. If mining in a pool, rewards would still be insignificant, with daily earnings close to zero due to the low hash rate. (calculated via our Bitcoin mining calc).

Instead, you are trying to mine on your own, attempting to solve an ultra complex math problem with a very weak computer. Even if successfully mined, the reward in 2025 would be only 3.125 BTC, and the odds of success are lower than winning a major lottery.

Although the Antrouter R1 still functions as a basic WiFi router and USB charger, these features do not justify purchasing it in 2025. Modern routers offer better speeds, security, and features, making this device obsolete for networking as well as mining.

Setting up the Antrouter R1 takes a bit of configuration the first time around. However this guide is pretty thourough and will get you through it easily. The Antrouter R1 is an outdated product that was first introduced to the market at the end of 2015 (see the original Bitcointalk thread here). While browsing through user reviews I found that the two main complaints users had are:

• Shipping costs made this product much more expensive than the stated price. Since Bitmain discontinued the Antrouter R1, it is no longer available for direct purchase. Third-party resellers may sell used or faulty units, and buyers have reported issues with functionality, overheating, and poor build quality.

• The Antrouter R1 may still be found on resale platforms like eBay, but purchasing it in 2025 is not recommended as it is obsolete, unsupported, and vastly underpowered compared to modern Bitcoin miners.

Better Bitcoin Mining Options in 2025

If you’re looking to earn Bitcoin, you can either set up your own hardware, or use these alternatives with or without a Bitcoin mining hardware.

1. Latest Mining Hardware

The Bitmain Antminer S21 Pro is a powerhouse Bitcoin miner built for serious mining operations. With a hash rate of 234Th/s and power consumption of just 3510W, it delivers high efficiency while keeping energy costs manageable. Released in July 2024, this ASIC miner is designed for heavy-duty performance, featuring four high-speed cooling fans to prevent overheating and ensure smooth operation. It’s not the quietest machine at 76db, but that’s expected with industrial-grade mining gear. The S21 Pro connects via Ethernet and runs best in controlled environments, handling temperatures from -20°C to 45°C and humidity levels between 10% and 90%. It’s also backed by a 365-day warranty, giving users some peace of mind. Compatible with major mining pools like ViaBTC, this miner is ideal for those looking to maximize Bitcoin rewards with cutting-edge hardware in 2025.

2. Cloud Mining

Bitcoin Cloud mining lets you rent mining power instead of owning hardware. You pay for a contract, and the mining company handles the operations while sharing rewards. However, hidden fees, scams, and low profitability can make it a risky choice.

Cloud Mining Platforms

• Binance Cloud Mining: Offers transparent hashrate tracking and flexible contracts.
• Hashing24: A reliable cloud mining service with contracts from major mining farms.

Instead of mining alone, a mining pool lets users combine computing power to increase the chances of earning rewards. Here, you can still need your own mining equipment, but rewards are shared among members.

3. Bitcoin Mining Software

To run a mining rig, you need a mining software that connects your hardware to a mining pool and optimizes performance. Here, popular options include CGMiner and Awesome Miner. They are widely used command-line software supporting ASIC, FPGA, and GPU mining. The latter has a user-friendly interface with remote monitoring and multi-device management.

4. Buying Bitcoin

Instead of mining, many investors buy Bitcoin directly and hold it long-term, avoiding mining risks like equipment costs, electricity expenses, and cloud mining scams.

Best Platforms to Buy Bitcoin

• Best Wallet:  A non-custodial wallet with secure Bitcoin storage and built-in DEX.Additionally, Best Wallet offers tools like staking for earning passive income, supports tons of crypto with multi-chain compatibility, and advanced features like market analytics.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Antrouter R1 in 2025?

If you’re looking to get your money’s worth stay away from this device. It is no longer supported by Bitmain and occasionally sold on other sites. It will just cost more than a simple network router and is considered an outdated miner. For those still interested in Bitcoin mining, cloud mining services or high-performance ASIC miners are far better options. Newer and more powerful alternatives like the Antminer S21 Pro and Whatsminer M60S are now more efficient products in the category.

Antrouter R1

$39

6.9

Design

9.2/10

Profitability

4.4/10

Ease of use

7.0/10

Pros

• Great design
• Cool idea for participating in Bitocin mining

Cons

• Probably won't make any profit
• Initial set up can be difficult

Check out the Antminer R1