I disagree it is smart to invest in hardware but you need to search out deals and be patient. Every single person who has chased deals at highs should still recover their initial investment but the runway to do so is longer. If you are patient and ensure you are not overpaying you will be fine as long as you dont put yourself in financial hardship. I have been doing this since 2017 and have heard the same people say how mining is not worth yet I have more BTC and ETH now than I ever would have if I just bought and held.