Ninja SP101 vs SP351: My Honest Hands-On Verdict

Deciding between the Ninja SP101 and SP351 comes down to space, heat, and what you cook most. I first used the SP101 in my Dallas kitchen. It saved counter space and worked well on busy school mornings.

Later, I upgraded to the SP351. The extra heat and height made family dinners and pizza nights easier. I’ve tested both ovens side by side. Here’s what I found, the trade-offs, and which one may fit your home best.

Ninja SP101 Review

If you want to save counter space but still cook meals fast, the Ninja SP101 is worth a look. I’ve used it in my own kitchen, and it quickly became a go-to on busy nights. Think of it as a toaster oven, air fryer, and baker—all in one slim box that flips up when not in use.

For me, it replaced my old toaster and saved me from heating the big oven for small jobs. I use it for pizza, fries, and toast almost every day. It’s not perfect (more on that soon), but for the price, it offers real value.

What I Like

• Fast preheat – It heats up in about 60 seconds. This is a lifesaver on school nights when my kids want nuggets, and I don’t want to wait on the big oven.
• Space-saving flip design – This is the real star. When I’m done, I flip it up, and my counter feels open again. In a small kitchen, that matters a lot.
• Good size for family meals – It fits a 13-inch pizza or 9 slices of toast. For us, that’s great for breakfast and pizza nights.
• Even cooking – Toast comes out golden, cookies bake well, and fries get crisp if you shake the basket halfway.
• Simple controls – One dial and a small screen. My teen figured it out in minutes.
• Good value – At about $200, it covers air fry, bake, toast, and more without extra tools.

What Could Be Better

• Low height – The inside is short. A small roast or tall dish won’t fit, so I still use the main oven for that.
• Weak broil – Steaks came out gray, not seared. It works better for melting cheese than real broiling.
• Cleaning takes effort – Grease sticks to the walls. Wiping after each use helps, but deep cleaning is tough.
• Durability – Some users say it wears out after a couple of years. Mine is fine so far, but I handle it with care.

Quick Overview of the Ninja SP101

Feature	Details
Price	~$219.99
Functions	8-in-1 (Air Fry, Bake, Toast, Bagel, Broil, Dehydrate, Air Roast, Keep Warm)
Preheat Time	~60 seconds
Max Temp	450°F
Capacity	13″ pizza, 9 toast slices, ~4 lbs food
Size & Weight	19.7” W x 15.1” D x 7.5” H; 18.6 lbs
Accessories	Air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, crumb tray
Special Feature	Flip-up design
Warranty	1-year limited

Final Take

If you’re a busy parent, student, or small family, the Ninja SP101 is a smart buy. It handles daily jobs like toast, fries, and pizza without taking over your counter. It’s also great for apartments or quick snacks.

But if you cook big roasts, tall casseroles, or want steakhouse-style searing, this oven may feel small. In that case, the Ninja SP351 is a better fit.

For my family, the SP101 has been a time-saver and space-saver. As long as you clean it often and know it may not last forever, it’s a reliable helper for everyday meals.

Ninja SP351 Review

The Ninja SP351 feels like the SP101’s big brother. I bought it after using the SP101 for months because I wanted more power and more room inside. If the SP101 is great for quick meals, the SP351 feels closer to a real oven upgrade.

The first thing I noticed was the heat. It goes up to 500°F and comes with a SearPlate. When I cooked steaks, the crust came out crisp and golden—something the SP101 never did. The smart thermometer also makes life easier. Now I can cook chicken, pork, or salmon without guessing if it’s done.

For pizza nights, this oven shines. Fresh pizza comes out bubbly, and frozen pizza bakes faster than in my big oven. The taller space also lets me cook a small roast or a tray of chicken breasts, which I could never do with the SP101.

What I Like

• True searing power – With 500°F heat and the SearPlate, meat gets that crisp edge I wanted.
• Smart thermometer – No more guessing. It tells me when chicken is safe, so I avoid dry meat.
• Extra height – A 2-lb roast or six chicken breasts fit with no issue.
• Flip-up storage – Even though it’s larger, it still flips up to save counter space.
• Special pizza settings – Frozen pizza tastes better here than in my full oven.
• Better for family meals – The size and heat make dinner for four easy.

What Could Be Better

• Pricey – At about $330, it costs more than the SP101. Worth it only if you use the smart tools often.
• Cleaning is still tough – Grease sticks to the walls. Wiping after use helps, but deep cleaning takes time.
• Heavy to move – At over 21 lbs, I don’t move it much. It stays in one spot.
• Learning curve – With 13 functions, it takes a little time to learn them all.

Quick Overview of the Ninja SP351

Feature	Details
Price	~$329.99
Functions	13-in-1 (Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Reheat, Dehydrate, Sear Crisp, Rapid Bake, Frozen Pizza, Fresh Pizza, Griddle, Air Roast)
Preheat Time	~60 seconds
Max Temp	500°F
Capacity	13″ pizza, 6 chicken breasts, 2-lb roast, ~4 lbs food
Size & Weight	20.2” L x 15.3” W x 8.1” H; 21.5 lbs
Accessories	Air fry basket, wire rack, crumb tray, SearPlate, smart thermometer
Special Feature	Dual Heat Technology + Smart Cook System
Warranty	1-year limited

Final Take

The Ninja SP351 is best for families and home cooks who want more than quick snacks. If you love pizza, steaks, or roasts, you’ll see the difference right away compared to the SP101. The smart thermometer also makes protein cooking stress-free.

That said, not everyone needs it. If you just want toast, fries, or reheated pizza, the SP101 is cheaper and still works well. The SP351 is worth the higher price only if you’ll use its power, height, and smart tools often.

For me, the SP351 feels like a real upgrade. It cooks full dinners, makes better meat, and still saves space by flipping up. It does need regular cleaning and it’s heavy, but if that doesn’t bother you, this is one of the best countertop ovens you can buy.

Ninja SP101 vs SP351 Detailed Comparison

I’ve used both the Ninja SP101 and the SP351 in my kitchen. The SP101 was my first choice for quick snacks. Later, I upgraded to the SP351 for more heat and room inside. Both ovens are good, but they fit different needs. Here’s my side-by-side take.

Cooking Capacity: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

The SP101 is fine for pizza, fries, and toast. But tall food doesn’t fit. The SP351 fixes this with extra height. That means you can cook roasts or trays of chicken.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Pizza Size	13-inch	13-inch
Toast	9 slices	9 slices
Roast Capacity	Too short for big cuts	Fits 2 lbs roast or 6 chicken breasts
Interior Height	Low	Taller, better for family meals

Rating: SP101 – 7/10 | SP351 – 9/10

Temperature Control: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

The SP101 tops at 450°F. That works for snacks and baking. The SP351 goes higher at 500°F and has a SearPlate. Steaks and chicken get a real crisp.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Max Temp	450°F	500°F
Broil Power	Weak, best for cheese	Strong, sears steaks well
Pizza Settings	None	Frozen & Fresh Pizza modes

Rating: SP101 – 6.5/10 | SP351 – 9/10

Preheating Speed: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

Both ovens heat fast—about 60 seconds. This is great on busy nights when the kids want fries or nuggets.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Preheat Time	~60 seconds	~60 seconds
Heat Spread	Even, but height limits it	Even, better airflow in tall space
Daily Use	Best for quick snacks	Best for full meals

Rating: SP101 – 8/10 | SP351 – 8.5/10

Cooking Consistency: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

Both cook evenly. Toast, fries, and cookies turn out well. But for meat, the SP351 feels closer to a real oven.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Toast	Golden and even	Golden and even
Fries	Crisp with a shake	Crisp with little effort
Meat Cooking	Weak broil, gray steaks	Strong sear, juicy inside

Rating: SP101 – 7.5/10 | SP351 – 9/10

Performance: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

The SP101 is quick for small jobs. The SP351 gives better results for full meals.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Snacks	Excellent	Excellent
Family Meals	Limited	Easy
Meat & Roasts	Weak	Strong

Rating: SP101 – 7/10 | SP351 – 9/10

Ease of Use: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

Both are simple. The SP101 has fewer modes, so anyone can use it. The SP351 has more options, but the smart thermometer helps.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Controls	One dial + small screen	More functions, slight learning curve
Setup	Easy	Easy
Smart Features	None	Thermometer + pizza modes

Rating: SP101 – 8.5/10 | SP351 – 8/10

Value for Money: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

The SP101 is budget-friendly at about $200. The SP351 costs more at $330, but you pay for power, space, and smart tools.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Price	~$200	~$330
Best For	Snacks, toast, quick pizza	Steaks, roasts, family meals
Worth It?	Yes if budget is tight	Yes if you’ll use extra power

Rating: SP101 – 8/10 | SP351 – 8.5/10

Overall: Ninja SP101 vs SP351

Both ovens have a place. The SP101 is great for small kitchens and quick food. The SP351 is better if you want a real oven feel with more heat and space.

Feature	Ninja SP101	Ninja SP351
Space Saving	Flip-up design	Flip-up design
Cooking Range	Limited but handy	Wide and versatile
Best For	Students, couples, small snacks	Families, home cooks, meat lovers

Rating: SP101 – 7.5/10 | SP351 – 9/10

FAQs on Ninja SP101 vs SP351