Goldshell AE Box II Review
The Goldshell AE Box II is a compact, apartment‑friendly zkSNARK ASIC built for Aleo (ALEO). Typical specs are 54 MH/s @ ~530 W with Wi‑Fi/Ethernet management and a simple web UI. Think of it as a plug‑and‑play ZK miner: beginner‑friendly setup, small footprint, and steady 24/7 operation—just be mindful that Aleo profitability can swing.
Pros:
- Home‑friendly: small, ~35–45 dB class with correct placement; supports Wi‑Fi.
- Simple onboarding: web UI, quick pool setup; Ethernet recommended for stability.
- ZK‑specific miner for Aleo; good for learning/proving‑style mining.
- Low daily running cost vs. large rigs (at moderate tariffs).
Cons:
- Not ROI‑first; treat as a learning/stacking device—Aleo profitability is volatile.
- ZK‑only focus: unlike Scrypt/SHA‑256 boxes, this miner targets ALEO only.
- Bundle variance: some sellers include PSU; others don’t. Confirm voltage/connector.
If you want ultra‑low power and don’t mind different ecosystems, compare with Iceriver AE0 (60 MH/s @ 100 W). For ETC (Etchash) in a quiet form factor, see our Jasminer X16‑Q review. Browse all ZK miners → https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/zk/
Key Takeaways
- Throughput & power: ~54 MH/s @ ~530 W → ~9.81 J/MH (lower is better).
- Noise: roughly ~35–45 dB depending on fan/room—see decibel primer.
- Best use‑cases: Aleo pool mining, hands‑on learning, and small spaces.
- Networking tip: use Ethernet (RJ45) or a Wi‑Fi→Ethernet bridge for fewer stale shares.
- Compare: AE Box (37 MH/s) or AE Box Pro (44 MH/s) for cheaper entry; E‑AE1M (230 MH/s) for more throughput (loud, 2 kW).
Technical Specifications
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Algorithm | zkSNARK (Aleo) — see zk‑SNARKs basics |
| Hashrate (typ.) | ~54 MH/s (±5%) |
| Power (typ.) | ~530 W (±5%) @ wall |
| Efficiency (math) | ~9.81 J/MH (530 W ÷ 54 MH/s) |
| Noise (typical) | ~35–45 dB (placement dependent) |
| Networking | Ethernet (RJ45) + Wi‑Fi; web interface |
| Voltage | 100–240 V AC (bundle dependent PSU) |
| Dimensions / Weight | ~171–198 × 150–198 × 95–96 mm, ~2.3–2.6 kg (by batch) |
Plain‑English examples: 54 MH/s = 54 million zkSNARK proofs/sec class (pool reporting formats vary). 530 W is like a compact desktop PC under load. 9.81 J/MH means 9.81 joules per million proofs.
Performance, Noise & Heat
Expect ~52–56 MH/s once warmed up, drawing ~520–540 W at the wall (PSU quality and ambient temps can shift a bit). Noise is a soft fan whoosh; tone depends on room acoustics and surface. Place on a hard, open surface and keep the rear exhaust clear.
Heat output (rule‑of‑thumb)
1 W ≈ 3.412 BTU/h → 530 W ≈ ~1,807 BTU/h — gentle warmth nearby; not a room heater.
Electricity cost examples (24 h, continuous @ 530 W)
- €0.10/kWh → ~€1.27/day (~€38.1/month)
- €0.20/kWh → ~€2.54/day (~€76.1/month)
- €0.30/kWh → ~€3.81/day (~€114.2/month)
Formula: kWh = (Watts ÷ 1000) × hours — see kilowatt‑hour.
Setup & Pooling (quick start)
- Place & power: Leave intake/exhaust clear. Verify PSU included; if not, use a quality 100–240 V AC→DC adapter sized for the load.
- Network: Connect Ethernet (RJ45) for setup; later you may switch to Wi‑Fi via the web UI.
- Web UI: Open the miner’s IP in your browser; unlock → set pool URL, wallet, and worker.
Aleo pool docs: https://f2pool.io/mining/guides/how-to-mine-aleo/ • https://miningpoolstats.stream/aleo (pool list).
Example format:stratum+tcp://aleo.f2pool.com:4430
Username:ALEO_WALLET.worker1
Password:x(or as required). - Verify & monitor: After 5–10 minutes, hashrate stabilizes. Watch Rejected/Stale shares; improve network if stales > 2–3%.
Pool tip: Try the closest region server (f2pool, zkWork, AntPool, etc.). Read each pool’s minimum payout and fee.
Who Should Buy the AE Box II?
- Home/apartment users who want Aleo mining in a quiet, compact device.
- Beginners who prefer plug‑and‑play over GPU/CLI tuning.
- Tinkerers who accept Aleo market volatility and want to learn ZK mining.
Skip it if you need industrial throughput or a multi‑coin box; see E‑AE1M or alternative algorithms.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Explore more devices on our ZK miners index → https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/zk/
| Product | Hashrate (typ.) | Power • Efficiency • Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goldshell AE Box II | ~54 MH/s | ~530 W • ~9.81 J/MH • Wi‑Fi/Ethernet • ≤ ~45 dB |
| Goldshell AE Box (Gen1) | ~37 MH/s | ~360 W • ~9.7 J/MH • compact; older gen |
| Goldshell AE Box Pro | ~44 MH/s | ~460 W • ~10.5 J/MH • newer than Gen1 |
| Iceriver AE0 | ~60 MH/s | ~100 W • ~1.67 J/MH • very efficient; often pricier |
| Goldshell E‑AE1M | ~230 MH/s | ~2000 W • ~8.7 J/MH • loud; dedicated circuit |
Related internal links
- All ZK miners: https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/zk/
- All reviews: https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/
Verdict
The AE Box II nails the home ZK niche: ~54 MH/s at ~530 W, Wi‑Fi/Ethernet control, and apartment‑friendly acoustics (with proper placement). Treat it as a learn‑and‑stack device for Aleo. If you need more efficiency, the Iceriver AE0 is compelling (but often costlier per MH). If you want GH/s‑class throughput, step up to E‑AE1M—and plan for noise and 2 kW power.
FAQ's
Is AE Box II profitable at home?
It depends on ALEO price and your €/kWh. Budget around 12.7 kWh/day at 530 W before pool fees.
Is it truly quiet?
Most units are apartment‑friendly when placed correctly; tone varies with room acoustics.
Wi‑Fi built‑in?
Yes on most AE Box II batches; we still recommend Ethernet for initial setup and reliability.
Which pools are supported?
Major Aleo pools like f2pool, zkWork, AntPool, DxPool; follow your pool’s guide for current stratum endpoints.