Quick take: SP101 is slimmer and budget-friendly; SP201 is taller and more versatile.
I live in the US, just outside Austin, and my small kitchen needs smart gear. Ninja SP101 vs SP201 feels like a real choice for busy weeknights. I wanted fast preheat, strong air frying, and easy storage. If you’re torn between speed and capacity, Ninja SP101 vs SP201 comes down to height, airflow, and value. I tested meals, toast, wings, and sheet-pan dinners to see which fits real life. By the end, Ninja SP101 vs SP201 makes sense: pick based on space, batch size, and the foods you cook most.
Table of Contents
Is Ninja Good?
My verdict: it depends. For smaller kitchens and tight spaces, the Ninja SP101 is great. It’s compact, powerful, and flips up to save space. If you cook thinner foods like toast, wings, and veggies, you’ll love it. If you need extra height for thicker foods, look at SP201.
I used the SP101 to air fry wings and toast breakfast bagels before school. It preheated fast and browned evenly. I also made a 13-inch pizza on Friday night; it came out crisp in under 10 minutes.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 8-in-1 functions: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Toast, Bagel
- 1800W heating for quick preheat and fast cook times
- Flip-up design to save counter space and easy cleaning
- Fits a 13-inch pizza or up to 9 slices of toast
- Includes air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, and crumb tray
What I Like
- Very fast preheat for quick meals
- Crispy air fry results with less oil
- Flip-up storage frees counter room
- Intuitive controls for daily cooking
- Great for toast, bagels, and sheet-pan dinners
What Could Be Better
- Lower interior height limits thicker meats
- Single rack means smaller batch cooking
- Front door gets hot during broil
- Dehydrate works, but space is tight
- No interior light on some units
My Recommendation
Choose Ninja SP101 if you want a compact, speedy, budget-friendly oven. It’s ideal for couples, students, and small families who cook thin cuts, toast, pizza, and snacks. Availability is strong, and value is excellent for everyday use.
Is Ninja Good?
My verdict: yes, if you need more headroom. The Ninja SP201 keeps the same fast performance but adds a taller interior and improved airflow. It’s better for thicker foods and bigger batches.
I baked bone-in chicken thighs that didn’t fit well in slimmer ovens. With SP201, the skin crisped evenly, and the inside stayed juicy. I also roasted veggies with more space, so they browned instead of steaming.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 8-in-1 versatility with updated presets for daily cooking
- 1800W power with improved airflow for more even browning
- Taller interior clearance for thicker foods and pans
- Rapid preheat plus strong air fry performance
- Flip-up storage design with removable crumb tray
What I Like
- Extra height fits chicken thighs and small roasts
- More even heat across the pan
- Still fast and easy to use
- Great for family-size sheet-pan meals
- Solid build quality and stable doors
What Could Be Better
- Larger footprint than SP101
- Costs a bit more than SP101
- Flip-up still needs backsplash clearance
- Exterior gets warm on long roasts
- Single rack limits multi-level baking
My Recommendation
Pick Ninja SP201 if you want SP101 speed with more space. It suits families and anyone cooking thicker cuts. If your meals outgrow the slimmer SP101, Ninja SP201 is the smarter buy.
Ninja SP101 vs SP201: Side-by-Side Test
Here’s my direct take on Ninja SP101 vs SP201 after weeks of everyday cooking. I focused on speed, capacity, browning, and ease of use to help you choose faster.
Cooking Functions: Which One Does More?
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| 8-in-1 with toast/bagel focus | 8-in-1 with improved roasting space |
| Dehydrate available | Dehydrate or Reheat (varies by model batch) |
| Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Warm | Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Warm |
Rating: SP101 – 8.5/10 | SP201 – 8.7/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201 are close; SP201 edges out with better space for functions.
Capacity And Clearance: Thin vs Thick Foods
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Fits 13″ pizza, 9 slices toast | Fits 13″ pizza, taller interior |
| Lower height; best for thin items | More headroom for thighs/roasts |
Rating: SP101 – 8/10 | SP201 – 9/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201 favors SP201 for thicker foods.
Preheat And Speed
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| ~60-second preheat | ~60-second preheat |
| Fast toast cycles | Fast roast cycles |
Rating: SP101 – 9/10 | SP201 – 9/10
Summary: In Ninja SP101 vs SP201, speed is a tie.
Air Fry Performance
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Crispy wings, fries, nuggets | Similar crisping with more even browning |
| Best for smaller batches | Handles larger batches better |
Rating: SP101 – 8.6/10 | SP201 – 9/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201: SP201 wins for bigger, more even air fry loads.
Toast And Bagel Control
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Dedicated toast/bagel presets | Strong toast; slight edge to SP101 for precision |
| Even top/bottom browning | Even browning, less focused UI |
Rating: SP101 – 9/10 | SP201 – 8.7/10
Summary: In Ninja SP101 vs SP201, SP101 is better for toast lovers.
Footprint And Storage
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Slimmer body | Wider/taller body |
| Flip-up saves space | Flip-up saves space (needs more clearance) |
Rating: SP101 – 9.2/10 | SP201 – 8.5/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201 favors SP101 for small kitchens.
Noise And Heat Management
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Moderate fan noise | Slightly quieter tone |
| Exterior warms up on broil | Exterior warms; taller body helps airflow |
Rating: SP101 – 8.2/10 | SP201 – 8.6/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201: SP201 has a small edge in airflow and hum.
Cleaning And Maintenance
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Removable crumb tray | Removable crumb tray |
| Flip-up helps wipe interior | Taller interior easier to access |
Rating: SP101 – 8.5/10 | SP201 – 8.8/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201: SP201 is a touch easier to clean inside.
Price And Value
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Usually cheaper | Costs more for added height |
| Great value for small households | Better value if you need space |
Rating: SP101 – 9/10 | SP201 – 8.6/10
Summary: In Ninja SP101 vs SP201, SP101 wins pure value.
Who It’s Best For
| Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP201 |
|---|---|
| Small kitchens, 1–3 people | Families, 3–5 people |
| Thin foods, toast, pizza, snacks | Thicker cuts, larger batches |
Rating: SP101 – 8.8/10 | SP201 – 9.1/10
Summary: Ninja SP101 vs SP201: SP201 is better for family-sized cooking.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Ninja SP101 vs SP201 is simple. Get the SP101 if you want a compact, fast, and affordable countertop oven for toast, pizza, and small air-fry meals. It shines in tight spaces.
Choose the SP201 if you cook thicker foods or bigger batches and want more interior height with similar speed. It’s the better fit for families or meal prep.
FAQs Of Ninja SP101 vs SP201
Does the SP201 cook faster than the SP101?
Both heat to temp in about a minute. In my Ninja SP101 vs SP201 tests, total times were similar, but SP201 handled larger batches more evenly.
Which is better for toast and bagels?
For Ninja SP101 vs SP201, the SP101 has a slight edge. It offers very consistent browning and simple presets.
Which handles thicker foods better?
In Ninja SP101 vs SP201, the SP201 wins. Its taller interior fits chicken thighs and small roasts more comfortably.
Do both flip up for storage?
Yes. In Ninja SP101 vs SP201, both models flip up. SP201 needs a bit more clearance behind the oven.
What about value for money?
For Ninja SP101 vs SP201, SP101 is the better budget pick. SP201 is worth it if you need the extra space and more even results.
Sources: Manufacturer specifications and major retailer listings updated through 2025.
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