In today’s conversations, it’s common to hear the terms helium mining, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. You can help yourself by being aware of the hardware requirements and how cryptocurrency is mined. The blockchain-based cryptocurrency Helium makes it possible to mine it with only a computer, a gateway, a mining device, and an antenna.
The cryptocurrency token, Helium (HNT), can be passively earned using the Helium Network, a relatively new and affordable option. For less than $600 CAD, you can purchase a Helium miner, set it up, and start producing HNT while you sleep.
Your site and miner must be chosen before you can begin a helium mining operation. Selecting the ideal Helium hotspot is then necessary to earn HNT properly. The Helium Network and the Best Miner to Earn HNT will be discussed in some detail in this guide.
What is the Helium Network?
In order to create open, decentralized wireless networks, the Helium blockchain network was developed. A peer-to-peer technology like the current WiFi technology is the Helium Network.
The Helium Network is different from a conventional WiFi network in a number of ways, including its open-source status, complete device-to-cloud encryption, dependability and scalability, and dedication to open collaboration. Additionally, miners of helium are paid for building and expanding the network.
Radio wave network activity validation is needed for helium mining. Proof of coverage (POC) is the term used for it. The annual electricity costs for Helium Hotspots are less than $10 CAD and they only use 5 watts of power.
What is a Helium Miner?
Helium miners can also be called “Helium hotspots.” Anyone can contribute to and take advantage of a wireless network of Internet of Things (loT) devices thanks to this diminutive router-like device. Connectivity over hundreds of kilometers is made possible by the fact that helium miners can send data for half the price of traditional cellular networks.
Helium miners can communicate over both short and long distances because they are peer-to-peer devices. It would be best to take this into account before choosing where to set up your miner. The number of other Helium miners in your area has a direct bearing on your ability to profit from it, as we’ll explain below.
How Does Helium Mining Work?
In order for helium mining to function, the Helium Network—also referred to as the people’s network—must be powered. Next, router-like devices similar to WiFi are then installed. Your router generates Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) challenges for other routers, extends the network’s data transfer range, completes PoC tasks assigned by others, and quietly keeps an eye on the PoC activities of reachable mining hotspots. In general, there are five ways to earn the most HNT from mining Helium, and they include:
- Witness the challenge (up to 47.11%)
- Be a PoC Challenger (up to 2.11%)
- Network Data Transfer (up to 35%)
- Join PoC challenge (up to 11.78%)
The percentage indicates the share of HNT mining rewards that you are eligible to receive for the chosen activity. Depending on your surroundings (and the hotspot device), you might complete one or more of these tasks.
It should be made clear that, like other types of mining, helium mining does not always result in profitable crypto mining.
Risks of Helium Mining
The benefits of mining are not assured. When you’re the only miner in a specific area, problems start to really show up. You are not allowed to take part in PoC activities or testify in that case. You need to be in the challenger position in order to consistently earn HNT.
These organizations produce PoC challenges, also referred to as beacons or challenges, for other hotspots. Then, in front of a nearby Witness, The Beacon accepts and completes the PoC challenge. All actions that result in rewards are completely automatic and arbitrary, you should be aware of this. Additionally, you don’t need to lift a finger once your smartphone is turned on.
What Are the Best Helium Hotspot Miners to Earn HNT?
The initial batch of miners was produced by Helium, Inc. They subsequently gave some corporations permission to follow suit. Check that the manufacturer of the helium miner is listed on the website’s official list of helium miner manufacturers before you buy it. We’ll discuss some of the best helium miners for HNT now that you’ve learned enough about them to be useful.
1. SenseCAP M1 Indoor Hotspot Miner
It is a LoRaWAN indoor gateway that performs well and is already set up to work. You can easily connect to The People’s Network with the SenseCAP M1 in just a few simple steps and minutes, and it allows you to create LoRa applications for a low cost. Miles of wireless network coverage and a high data transfer rate are provided by the SenseCAP M1 for LoRa/LoRaWAN devices. It allows you to benefit from the advantages of the Helium community while also supporting the infrastructure of The People’s Network.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU868, AU915, KR920, AS923, IN865, RU864
2. Nebra ROCK Pi Miner
This new HNT miner is among the best available in the area. Using a smartphone will make setup quick and easy. It uses very little energy. It uses the same amount of energy (15W) as a broadband router. Nebraska ROCK Pi offers two plans: Basic (free) and Advanced. The advanced tier’s remote administration, which also includes device performance and stats, stands in for the basic plan’s auto-updating feature.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU 868, AU915, KR920, AS923
3. Mntd.
One of RAKwireless’s Special editions is MNTD Helium Miners. It is easily accessible and has the most RAM. It is adequate to handle any blockchain issues that may arise in the future. Since every second counts, be especially prepared. This is one of the high-quality HNT miners in the market. It stands out thanks to a number of distinctive characteristics.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU868, AU915, KR920, AS923
4. Bobcat Miner 300
For the HNT (Helium) coin, a top-tier miner hotspot is the Bobcat Miner 300. In 2021, it was the most popular and widely used miner. The Helium project connects individual hotspots with a LoRaWAN antenna to create a mesh network for external devices. Utilizing the Helium app on your iOS or Android smartphone, the setup is complete. This miner is the US 915 MHz version and is only meant for use in North America.
Additionally, this is a Bobcat Miner 300 with 2GB RAM, which is a more recent model. Included in the contents of the box are the Bobcat Miner 300 2GB 915MHz, 4dbi antenna with base, power adapter, and mounting screws.
- Frequency Support: US915, AU915, KR920, AS923, EU868
5. Browan MerryIOT Hotspot Miner
The MerryIoT Hotspot Miner by Browan has 32 GB of eMMC fast flash storage and 4 GB of RAM, which complies with the most recent hardware requirements for mining HNT. Despite the fact that Browan Merryiot has an internal antenna, an external one can extend the range. Further distinguishing features include its eMMC storage, which denotes ultra-fast beacon discovery.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU868, AS923, AU915
6. Milesight LoRaWAN Hotspot
The UG65 Helium hotspot Miner from Milesight is a helium-based variation of their UG65 LoRaWAN gateway. It is semi-industrial production grade, has an IP65 enclosure, and can function in conditions with humidity levels as high as 95% and temperatures between -40 and +70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU868, AU915, KR920, AS923, AS923-2, KR920, IN865, RU864, CN470
7. Mimiq FinestraMiner
FinestraMiner is a high-quality Helium-compatible hotspot that gives you wireless network coverage to the Helium 5G network (People’s Network). Helium network is the world’s fast-growing and biggest LoRaWAN network. With FinestraMiner, you can link a number of loT devices to long-range wireless networks. It has a range of more than 10 miles.
- Frequency Support: US915, EU868
- Soon to be Supported: RU864, IN865, AU915, KR920, AS923
How Much Does a Helium Miner Cost?
However, Helium hotspot miner costs in the range of $400 – $1100 based on the region. The native cryptocurrency of the Helium company, HNT, is thus mineable at the Helium Hotspot and is listed on top crypto exchanges like Binance, Kucoin, Gate.io, FTX, and Crypto.com. HNT is also tradeable on the cryptocurrency market.
Helium partners with Internet providers which means; helium miners work on WIFI and this is one of the reasons a lot of people are getting themselves involved in becoming “the people’s network.”
Summary
The Helium Network is a fantastic way to passively earn the HNT cryptocurrency. Helium mining equipment costs have begun to decline. The reason for this is that the supply change has now caught up to the demand.
We strongly advise conducting your own research and deciding which Helium hotspot manufacturer to support. The sale of hotspots miners has been prohibited or blacklisted for a number of companies. You want a business that will support and update its products going forward. We considered this when compiling this list, among other things.