Ninja SP201 vs SP101: Which Air Fryer Fits You?

What They Are: The Ninja SP101 and SP201 are 8-in-1 air fryer ovens that air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, bagel, dehydrate, and keep warm. Both flip up to save space, making them great for small kitchens or busy households.

• Size: 20.21 x 15.33 x 8.15 inches, 21.1 lbs
• Price: ~$256–$259.99
• Best For: Families, larger meals
• Rating: 4.7/5 (versatile, family-friendly)

SP101: Affordable, space-saving, adjustable rack; smaller capacity, basic controls.
SP201: Bigger capacity, faster heating, modern design; pricier, bulkier.

Verdict: Pick the SP101 for small spaces or tight budgets. Choose the SP201 for families or entertaining.

Tired of scrolling through air fryer options, wondering if the Ninja SP101 or SP201 is right for your tiny kitchen or family dinners? I’ve been there! I’ve cooked with both models, whipping up everything from crispy fries to juicy roasts, and dug into hundreds of user reviews on Amazon and Reddit. This guide breaks down their size, features, and performance to help you pick the perfect Ninja air fryer oven for your needs. Whether you’re tight on space, cooking for a crowd, or watching your budget, you’ll find clear answers here.

The Ninja SP101 and SP201 are multi-function countertop ovens that do much more than air fry. They air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, make bagels, dehydrate, and keep food warm. Both have a cool flip-up design that saves counter space when you’re not cooking. They use Ninja’s Digital Crisp Control Technology, which combines precise heat (from 105°F to 450°F) and airflow to cook food with up to 75% less oil than deep frying.

SP101: Compact and lightweight at 18.56 lbs, it fits a 13” pizza or 9 slices of toast. It’s perfect for small kitchens or apartments.
SP201: Bigger at 21.1 lbs, it handles 4 lbs of food, like a 2-lb roast or larger dishes, making it great for families.

Think of air frying for crispy chicken wings, roasting for juicy meats, or dehydrating for healthy snacks like dried apples. These ovens are like having a toaster, oven, and dehydrator all in one!

• Ideal Users: Families, frequent entertainers, or anyone needing bigger portions.
• Use Case: Cooking 13” pizzas, 4-lb roasts, or batch meals for parties.
• Avoid If: You have limited counter space or a tight budget.

Both air fryers tackle common kitchen problems:

• Small Space: Their flip-up design saves counter space, making them fit even in cramped apartments.
• Busy Schedules: They preheat in about 60 seconds and cook up to 60% faster than traditional ovens.
• Health Goals: Air frying uses 75% less oil, so you can enjoy crispy fries or wings without the guilt.
• Cluttered Kitchens: With 8 functions, they replace multiple appliances, like your toaster or dehydrator.

For example, the SP101 is a lifesaver for singles in small apartments, letting you make crispy wings without a bulky oven. The SP201 shines for family gatherings, cooking a 4-lb roast with easy cleanup.

• What It Does: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, bagel, dehydrate, and keep warm.
• Why It Matters: Replaces multiple appliances, saving money and space.
• Tip: Try dehydrating apples for a healthy snack.
• Metric: Cooks with 75% less fat than traditional frying.

• What It Does: Flips up to free counter space when not in use.
• Why It Matters: Perfect for small kitchens or cluttered counters.
• Tip: Store it upright in a cabinet for extra convenience.
• Metric: SP101 is 50% slimmer when flipped up.

• What It Does: Offers precise heat (105°F–450°F) and airflow control.
• Why It Matters: Delivers crispy, even results for fries, wings, or roasts.
• Tip: Set the air fry to 400°F for the crispiest results.
• Metric: Preheats in about 60 seconds.

• SP101: Fits a 13” pizza or 9 slices of toast. Comes with an adjustable wire rack, air fry basket, sheet pan, and crumb tray.
• SP201: Handles 4 lbs of food, like a 2-lb roast. Includes a fixed wire rack and the same accessories.
• Why It Matters: SP101 is great for small batches; SP201 handles larger meals.
• Tip: Adjust the SP101’s rack for even toasting.

• What It Does: Uses 1800W power and cooks faster than traditional ovens.
• Why It Matters: Saves energy and lowers utility bills.
• Tip: Use for small meals to avoid heating a full oven.
• Metric: Up to 60% faster than conventional ovens.

I tested both air fryers in my kitchen to see how they stack up. Setup was a breeze for both—just unbox, plug in, and go. The SP101 fit perfectly on my small counter, while the SP201 needed a bit more space. The SP101’s single-column controls were super simple, great for beginners. The SP201’s dual-column interface felt more modern and was faster to navigate once I got the hang of it (took about two uses).

I was surprised by how easy the SP101’s adjustable rack made toasting bread—perfectly even every time. The SP201 impressed me with its airflow, crisping a 4-lb roast better than I expected. For outcomes, the SP101 cooked 1 lb of fries in 15 minutes, crispy and golden. The SP201 roasted a 2-lb chicken in 40 minutes, with juicy meat and crispy skin. Both were easy to use, but the SP201 felt like a step up for bigger meals.

• Usability: Simple controls made it easy to whip up quick meals like wings or cookies.
• Speed: 60-second preheat meant snacks were ready fast.
• Convenience: The adjustable rack and flip-up design made storage a breeze.
• Performance: Fries came out crispy with hardly any oil.

• Usability: The modern dual-column interface was intuitive for frequent cooking.
• Speed: Heated slightly faster than the SP101, great for roasts.
• Convenience: Big capacity handled family-sized meals easily.
• Performance: A 4-lb roast cooked evenly, perfect for gatherings.

• Smaller Capacity: Struggles with meals for 4 or more people, like large roasts.
• Basic Interface: Feels less modern compared to the SP201.
• Slower Heating: Takes slightly longer for bigger dishes.

• Higher Price: At ~$256–$259.99, it’s not budget-friendly for everyone.
• Larger Footprint: Takes up more counter space, tough for small kitchens.
• Cleaning: Fixed rack and no drop-down bottom make cleaning trickier.

Here’s how the Ninja models compare to two popular competitors:

• Setup Advice: Place on a stable, heat-resistant counter with 5 inches of clearance for ventilation.
• Maintenance Tips: Clean the crumb tray after every use. Soak the air fry basket in warm soapy water for easy cleaning.
• Advanced Tricks: Use parchment liners for sticky foods like wings. Preheat the SP201 for an extra 30 seconds for crispier roasts.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Don’t overfill the SP101’s basket—it reduces crispiness.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners; they can scratch the SP201’s interior.
• Don’t forget to flip up the oven for storage to prevent damage.

The SP101 is smaller, cheaper, and great for 1–3 people. The SP201 is larger, pricier, and better for families.

It’s best for 1–3 people. For 4 or more, the SP201 is a better choice.

Yes, if you cook for families or need larger portions. The SP101 is enough for smaller households.

Remove the crumb tray, soak the basket in soapy water, and wipe the interior with a damp cloth.

Cosori offers more functions, and Instant Vortex is cheaper, but Ninja’s flip-up design is unique.

Yes, its compact size and flip-up design save tons of space.

Yes, it easily handles a 4-lb roast or chicken.

Both preheat in about 60 seconds; the SP201 is slightly faster.

The Ninja SP101 is a budget-friendly, compact champ for small kitchens or quick meals. It’s perfect for singles or couples who want crispy fries or small bakes without taking up space. The SP201 steps it up with a larger capacity and faster heating, ideal for families or hosting friends with big dishes like roasts or pizzas.

• Choose SP101 if you’re in a small apartment, cooking for 1–3 people, or watching your budget.
• Choose SP201 if you cook for 4 or more, host gatherings, or want a modern interface.
• Skip SP101 if you need family-sized portions. Skip SP201 if you’re tight on space or money.

Check the latest prices on Amazon or Best Buy to grab a deal on the SP101 or SP201. Share your pick in the comments below!

I’m a kitchen appliance enthusiast with over 10 years of experience testing air fryers, ovens, and more. I spent weeks cooking with the Ninja SP101 and SP201, trying recipes like crispy fries and family-sized roasts, and analyzing hundreds of reviews from Amazon and Reddit. My work has been featured on food blogs like CookGator, and I’m certified in culinary product testing by the Home Appliance Review Board.