Cooking Capacity and Size: SP201 vs SP101
The SP201 is a taller version of the SP101, with the most useful size difference inside the oven. The SP101's cavity is about 3 in tall: 13-inch pizza, 9 slices of toast, and a 4-lb basket, but flat food only. The SP201 adds about an inch of headroom, which is what lets it take a 2-lb roast.
Cooking Functions and Modes: SP201 vs SP101
Both run the same eight functions: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm. The SP201 carries the Pro version of Ninja's Digital Crisp Control, but the function list is identical. See the official Ninja site for the full rundown.
Cooking Performance and Preheating Speed: SP201 vs SP101
Both preheat in about 60 seconds, up to 60% faster than a full-size electric oven. Side by side, the SP201 edged ahead by a few seconds, a gap we never noticed. Results matched where the dishes overlapped: golden fries in about 5 minutes on the SP101, crisp pizza crust on the SP201.
Temperature Range and Power: SP201 vs SP101
Both draw 1800W and cook across the same range of 250F to 450F, with Dehydrate running 100F to 200F. With equal wattage and similar cavities, preheat times land about equal.
Design, Build and Counter Space: SP201 vs SP101
Both flip up against the backsplash when idle, reclaiming 50% of the footprint on the SP101 and 45% on the SP201. The SP101 has an interior light and a fold-down bottom door for removing crumbs; the SP201 has no light, so you must open the door to check the food. Both exteriors run hot in use, so leave clearance.
Ease of Use and Cleaning: SP201 vs SP101
Both ship with the same accessories: air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, and removable crumb tray. The basket and wire rack are dishwasher safe; the sheet pan and crumb tray are hand-wash only. Cleaning is where they differ: the SP101's basket is the hardest part to clean, with sponges shredding after wings; on the SP201, grease sticks to the oven walls fast.
Noise Level: SP201 vs SP101
Neither oven is silent. The SP101's fan is noticeably audible when air frying, especially in a quiet kitchen. The SP201 is quieter on most settings, making it less intrusive when both ovens perform the same task.
Value for Money: SP201 vs SP101
The SP101 is the cheaper of the two, and the SP201 costs more. You pay the premium for the extra height, the quieter fan, and one-pass family dinners.