<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Continuous H<SUB>2</SUB> production from xylose by granules and biofilm up-flow anaerobic reactor using moderate thermophilic mixed cultures was investigated. The maximum H<SUB>2</SUB> yield of 251 mL H<SUB>2</SUB>/g-xylose with H<SUB>2</SUB>production rate of 15.1 L H<SUB>2</SUB>/L⋅d was obtained from granules reactor operating at the organic loading rate (OLR) of 60 g-xylose/L⋅d and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h. Meanwhile the highest H<SUB>2</SUB> production rate of 13.3 L H<SUB>2</SUB>/L⋅d with an H<SUB>2</SUB> yield of 221 mL H<SUB>2</SUB>/g–xylose was achieved from the biofilm reactor. Both reactors were dominated by <I>Thermoanaerobacterium</I> species with acetate and butyrate as main fermentation products. The microbial community of the biofilm reactor was composed of <I>Thermoanaerobacterium</I> species, while granules reactor was composed of <I>Clostridium</I> sp., <I>Thermoanaerobacterium</I> sp. and <I>Caloramator</I> sp. The granular reactor was more microbial diversity and more balance between economic efficiency in term of the hydrogen production rate and technical efficiency in term of hydrogen yield.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> H<SUB>2</SUB> production from xylose by granules and biofilm reactor was investigated. </LI> <LI> The maximum H<SUB>2</SUB> yield of 251 mL H<SUB>2</SUB>/g-xylose was achieved from granules reactor. </LI> <LI> The maximum H<SUB>2</SUB> rate of 15.1 L H<SUB>2</SUB>/L⋅d was achieved from granules reactor. </LI> <LI> Granules reactor was dominant by <I>Clostridium</I> sp. and <I>Thermoanaerobacterium</I> sp. </LI> <LI> The granular reactor was more balance between economic and technical efficiency. </LI> </UL> </P>