Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO My Honest Verdict

When people ask about the Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO, I say both are smart countertop ovens. The main difference is in small details that matter in daily use. The SP201 is easy to buy online and works well as an everyday oven. The FT205CO feels like an upgraded twin. It comes with more presets and often sells at Costco for less.

I live in Austin, Texas, where summers get hot. I wanted an oven that did not heat up my whole kitchen. Both models made weeknight meals faster and simpler. I’ve cooked chicken, pizza, and veggies in each one. After months of use, I can share what worked well and what fell short.

If you’re choosing between them, my side-by-side test will help. You’ll see which one fits your family best.

Ninja SP201 Review

When I first tried the Ninja SP201, I wanted a countertop oven that saved time and space. My family now uses it almost every day. We make quick dinners, reheat leftovers, and cook snacks. It’s more than a toaster oven, but smaller than a full oven.

I’ve cooked chicken, roasted veggies, and reheated pizza. It heats fast, cooks evenly, and flips up when I need counter space. Like any kitchen tool, it has pros and cons.

What I Like

• Fast preheat – It gets hot in about one minute. Much quicker than my big oven.
• Even cooking – Chicken and potatoes came out crisp outside and tender inside. Great for weeknight meals.
• Flip-up design – Saved me counter space. I could push it up and still use the area.
• Big enough for family meals – Fits a 13-inch pizza or nine slices of toast. Works for kids’ breakfast or fast dinners.
• Simple controls – The digital knob and presets were easy to learn. My teen used it without help.
• Durable build – The stainless steel body feels sturdy and has held up with daily use.

What Could Be Better

• Air fry results – Good, but not as crisp as a basket air fryer. Fries felt more baked than fried.
• Cooling time – After cooking, it stays hot for 20+ minutes. I couldn’t flip it up right away.
• Toast settings – Even the lightest setting browns bread more than I like. Fine if you love golden toast.
• Cleaning – Basket and sheet pan are not dishwasher safe. Sticky foods take effort to scrub.
• Price vs value – On Amazon, it costs more than some other Ninja models. Costco versions sometimes have extra features for less.

Ninja SP201 at a Glance

Feature	Details
Power	1800 watts
Functions	8-in-1 (Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Keep Warm)
Capacity	13” pizza, 9 slices of toast, or 4 lbs food
Preheat Time	About 60 seconds
Dimensions	15.3″ D × 20.2″ W × 8.1″ H
Design	Flip-up & away for storage
Accessories	Air Fry Basket, Sheet Pan, Wire Rack, Crumb Tray
Price (US)	$190–$259 (retailer varies)

Recommendation

If you want a fast, versatile oven for daily meals, the Ninja SP201 is a strong choice. It’s great for small families, busy parents, or anyone who wants oven results without heating the whole kitchen.

If air frying is your top need, a basket air fryer makes food crispier. If you shop at Costco, you may find the FT205CO, which has more functions and comes with an extra rack for less.

For me, the SP201 has been worth it. It replaced my toaster and my old convection oven. It fits my family’s routine well. Just remember—it’s an oven first and an air fryer second.

Ninja FT205CO Review

When I tried the Ninja FT205CO, I saw right away how close it was to the SP201. Both are small ovens that flip up for storage, heat fast, and cook family meals. The big change? The FT205CO has two extra cooking modes and comes with a broil rack.

In my kitchen, I used it for pizza, veggies, and leftovers. The pizza preset worked great. The crust came out crisp without burning the cheese. I also liked the reheat mode. Fries and chicken tenders came out closer to fresh than soggy. Like the SP201, it has pros and cons, but the FT205CO feels like the “upgraded” version.

What I Like

• Extra presets – Pizza and Reheat saved me time. No guessing on temp or cook time.
• Broil rack – Helped crisp chicken thighs on top. A small tool that makes a big change.
• Fast preheat – Ready in one minute. Handy when the kids want food after school.
• Good size for families – Fits a 13-inch pizza, nine slices of toast, or four pounds of wings.
• Flip-up design – Saved counter space in my small kitchen. Kept clutter down.
• Value at Costco – I paid less than I would for the SP201 on Amazon, with more features included.

What Could Be Better

• Air fry results – Same as the SP201. Fries tasted good but were less crisp than in my basket air fryer.
• Cooling time – Stays hot for 20+ minutes, so I had to wait before flipping it up.
• Cleaning – Pans and rack need hand-wash. Wings left grease that took extra scrubbing.
• Availability – In the US, it’s mostly at Costco or refurb shops. Harder to buy than the SP201 online.
• Toast control – Even the light setting made bread darker than I like. Good if you prefer golden toast.

Ninja FT205CO at a Glance

Feature	Details
Power	1800 watts
Functions	10-in-1 (Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Pizza, Reheat)
Capacity	13” pizza, 9 slices of toast, or 4 lbs food
Preheat Time	About 60 seconds
Dimensions	15.3″ D × 20.2″ W × 8.1″ H
Design	Flip-up & away for storage
Accessories	Air Fry Basket, Sheet Pan, Wire Rack, Crumb Tray, Broil Rack
Price (US)	$100–$140 (Costco or refurbished)

Recommendation

The Ninja FT205CO is the better choice if you can find it. It has the same base as the SP201 but adds two cooking modes and an extra rack—often for less money. I’d call it the “best value” version.

It’s a great fit for small families, busy parents, or anyone who wants a fast oven that doesn’t take over the counter. If you want the crispest fries, you’ll still need a basket air fryer. And if you don’t have a Costco nearby, the SP201 may be easier to buy online.

For me, the FT205CO has been a solid upgrade. It cooks well, saves space, and feels built to last. I’d suggest it to friends who want more than a toaster oven, but less than a full oven.

Details Comparison: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

I’ve used both the Ninja SP201 and FT205CO in my kitchen. At first, they look the same. But a few small changes set them apart. Here’s my side-by-side take, based on real use.

Cooking Capacity: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both ovens fit a 13-inch pizza, nine slices of toast, or about four pounds of food. For daily meals, the size feels right. I never ran out of space for family dinners.

Feature	Ninja SP201	Ninja FT205CO
Pizza Size	13-inch	13-inch
Toast Capacity	9 slices	9 slices
Max Food Load	4 lbs	4 lbs

Rating: SP201 – 9/10, FT205CO – 9/10

Cooking Functions: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

This is where the FT205CO wins. It adds two extra presets—Pizza and Reheat. I found them handy. The SP201 covers the basics, but I liked not guessing with the FT205CO.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Total Modes	8-in-1	10-in-1
Unique Modes	None	Pizza, Reheat
Everyday Use	Roast, Bake, Toast	Same + Pizza/Reheat

Rating: SP201 – 8/10, FT205CO – 9.5/10

Heating Speed: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both ovens heat in about one minute. This saved me when the kids were hungry. I didn’t need to use my big oven. No difference here.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Preheat Time	60 sec	60 sec
Temp Range	105–450°F	105–450°F
Even Heating	Yes	Yes

Rating: SP201 – 9.5/10, FT205CO – 9.5/10

Design & Build: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both share the flip-up design. This saved me counter space. Build feels the same—sturdy and solid.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Flip-Up Design	Yes	Yes
Body Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Size	15.3″ D × 20.2″ W × 8.1″ H	Same

Rating: SP201 – 9/10, FT205CO – 9/10

Accessories: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Here’s another key change. The FT205CO adds a broil rack. I used it to crisp chicken thighs. The SP201 doesn’t include that.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Air Fry Basket	Yes	Yes
Sheet Pan	Yes	Yes
Wire Rack	Yes	Yes
Broil Rack	No	Yes

Rating: SP201 – 8/10, FT205CO – 9.5/10

Performance: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both ovens cooked food well. The only edge came from presets. The FT205CO made things easier.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Even Cooking	Yes	Yes
Air Fry Crisp	Decent, not basket-level	Same
Best Dishes	Chicken, veggies, pizza	Chicken, pizza, reheat meals

Rating: SP201 – 8.5/10, FT205CO – 9/10

Ease of Use: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both were simple. My teen used them with no issue. The FT205CO felt easier thanks to pizza and reheat presets.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Controls	Digital knob, presets	Same + extra presets
Learning Curve	Easy	Easy
Cleaning	Hand-wash trays	Same

Rating: SP201 – 8/10, FT205CO – 8.5/10

Value for Money: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Here’s the big one. The SP201 costs more on Amazon. The FT205CO is often cheaper at Costco and adds more features. If you have Costco, it’s the clear win.

Feature	SP201	FT205CO
Avg Price (US)	$190–$259	$100–$140
Features	8-in-1	10-in-1 + Broil Rack
Availability	Amazon, Target, Walmart	Costco, refurb shops

Rating: SP201 – 7.5/10, FT205CO – 9.5/10

Overall: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO

Both ovens are strong picks. But the FT205CO wins if you can find it. It’s the SP201 with upgrades, often for less money.

Category	SP201	FT205CO
Performance	8.5/10	9/10
Ease of Use	8/10	8.5/10
Value for $	7.5/10	9.5/10
Overall	8/10	9/10

FAQs: Ninja SP201 vs FT205CO