Noise level
Also called: decibels, dB, sound level
A miner's noise level is measured in decibels (dB). An air-cooled ASIC is very loud; a home miner or a hydro model is much quieter.
The noise level indicates how much noise a machine makes, measured in decibels, written dB. On a miner, this noise comes almost entirely from the fans, which spin fast to remove heat. Manufacturers state a value on the spec sheet, measured under specific conditions, often at a given distance from the machine.
The decibel scale is not linear. An increase of 10 dB is perceived by the ear as roughly twice as loud, and an increase of 3 dB corresponds to a doubling of sound energy: two identical machines side by side make about 3 dB more than one alone. For reference, a conversation is around 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner around 70 to 80 dB, and an air-cooled ASIC sits in that range or above.
Before buying, ask yourself where the machine will run. An air-cooled ASIC needs a garage, a shed or a technical room away from living spaces. A home miner, designed for the home, stays quiet and plugs into a standard outlet, but its low power makes it more of a lottery ticket than a source of income. A hydro model is almost silent, although its external cooling loop has its own fans. On the product page, compare the dB value and check whether a quiet mode exists, often at the cost of a lower hashrate.
Our home miner collection brings together machines designed for home use. For an air-cooled ASIC, we also offer a soundproofing kit for the exhaust fan.