When choosing a high-performance personal blender, the Ninja BN401 and Ninja SS101 are two of the most popular options. At first glance, they look similar in size and power—but in real-world use, they are built for very different types of blending.
The Ninja BN401 is a smoothie specialist, designed for speed, convenience, and daily drink blending. The Ninja SS101 is a thick-blend specialist, built to handle smoothie bowls, nut butters, and dense mixtures without stalling.
Quick Verdict: Choose the Ninja BN401 for fast, everyday smoothies. Choose the Ninja SS101 if you regularly make thick acai bowls, frozen desserts, or nut butters.
Main Difference Between Ninja BN401 and SS101
The main difference between the Ninja BN401 and SS101 is how they handle thick blends. While both are powerful personal blenders, the BN401 prioritizes high-speed blending for liquid recipes, whereas the SS101 uses SmartTORQUE technology to maintain blade speed when blending dense, low-liquid ingredients.
In simple terms:
- BN401 = High-speed blending for smoothies
Ninja (BN401) Nutri Pro with Auto-iQ, 1100-Peak-Watt, Personal...
- CERTIFIED REFURBISHED: This manufacturer-refurbished unit shows limited (if any) wear and...
- SS101 = High-torque blending for thick recipes
SaleNinja Blenders for Kitchen | Smoothie Blender, Mixer, Grinder -...
- THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS: 14-oz. Smoothie Bowl Maker with built-in tamper blends and powers...
- SMOOTH NUTRIENT EXTRACTIONS: 24-oz. Nutrient Extraction Cup with better breakdown for...
- SMARTTORQUE TECHNOLOGY: Powerful 1200-peak-watt power-dense motor that powers through...
- 6 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 6 programs for one-touch blend, pulse, smoothies, extractions,...
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that...
Specification Comparison
| Feature | Ninja BN401 | Ninja SS101 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 1100 Peak Watts | 1200 Peak Watts |
| Motor Technology | High-speed personal blender motor | SmartTORQUE (anti-stall technology) |
| Auto-iQ Presets | 2 (Smoothie, Crushed Ice) | 4 (Extract, Smoothie, Spread, Bowl) |
| Containers Included | (2) 24-oz single-serve cups | 24-oz Nutri Cup + 14-oz Power Nutri Bowl |
| Blade System | Pro Extractor stainless steel blades | Hybrid-edge stainless steel blades |
| Best For | Daily smoothies & shakes | Smoothie bowls, nut butters, thick blends |
- CERTIFIED REFURBISHED: This manufacturer-refurbished unit shows limited (if any) wear and...
- THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS: 14-oz. Smoothie Bowl Maker with built-in tamper blends and powers...
- SMOOTH NUTRIENT EXTRACTIONS: 24-oz. Nutrient Extraction Cup with better breakdown for...
- SMARTTORQUE TECHNOLOGY: Powerful 1200-peak-watt power-dense motor that powers through...
- 6 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 6 programs for one-touch blend, pulse, smoothies, extractions,...
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that...
Motor Power & Real-World Performance
Ninja BN401 Performance
The Ninja BN401 uses an 1100-peak-watt motor optimized for speed. It easily crushes ice, frozen fruit, and leafy greens when enough liquid is present, producing smooth drinks in seconds.
With very thick or low-liquid recipes, the BN401 may slow down or require shaking—this is normal behavior for high-speed personal blenders.
Ninja SS101 Performance (SmartTORQUE Explained)
The Ninja SS101 features a 1200-peak-watt SmartTORQUE motor. While the wattage increase is modest, SmartTORQUE is the real upgrade.
SmartTORQUE maintains blade speed under heavy load, allowing the SS101 to blend dense mixtures like frozen smoothie bowls, nut butters, hummus, and frozen desserts without stalling.
Think of it like gears:
BN401 = High gear (speed)
SS101 = Low gear (torque)
Auto-iQ Programs & Usability
The BN401 keeps things simple with two Auto-iQ programs—Smoothie and Crushed Ice—ideal for users who want quick, repeatable results.
The SS101 offers more control with four Auto-iQ presets:
- Extract – whole fruits, seeds, leafy greens
- Smoothie – drinkable blends
- Spread – nut butters, dips, hummus
- Bowl – thick, spoonable textures
Containers & Design Differences
The BN401 includes two 24-oz to-go cups, letting you blend and drink from the same container—perfect for busy mornings or gym use.
The SS101 includes a 24-oz Nutri Cup and a 14-oz Power Nutri Bowl with a built-in manual tamper. This tamper pushes ingredients toward the blades, which is essential for thick blends.
Cleaning & Maintenance (Helpful Content)
Both blenders use BPA-free plastic and feature dishwasher-safe parts.
Real-world tip: The SS101 Power Nutri Bowl may require a quick brush clean behind the tamper paddles after making nut butters or thick spreads to ensure no residue remains.
Noise Considerations
- BN401: Loud during ice crushing and frozen blending.
- SS101: Also loud due to its torque-focused motor.
Pros & Cons Summary
Ninja BN401 – Pros
- Excellent smoothie performance
- Fast, simple operation
- Portable blend-and-go cups
- Easy to clean
- CERTIFIED REFURBISHED: This manufacturer-refurbished unit shows limited (if any) wear and...
Ninja BN401 – Cons
- Struggles with very thick blends
- No bowl or tamper
- Limited presets
Ninja SS101 – Pros
- SmartTORQUE prevents stalling
- Ideal for smoothie bowls and nut butters
- More Auto-iQ presets
- Includes Power Nutri Bowl with tamper
- THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS: 14-oz. Smoothie Bowl Maker with built-in tamper blends and powers...
- SMOOTH NUTRIENT EXTRACTIONS: 24-oz. Nutrient Extraction Cup with better breakdown for...
- SMARTTORQUE TECHNOLOGY: Powerful 1200-peak-watt power-dense motor that powers through...
- 6 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 6 programs for one-touch blend, pulse, smoothies, extractions,...
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that...
Ninja SS101 – Cons
- Higher price
- Slightly more effort to clean bowl
- Not designed for large batches
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Ninja BN401 if:
- You mainly make smoothies or protein shakes
- You want speed and convenience
- You prefer simple controls
Choose the Ninja SS101 if:
- You make smoothie bowls or nut butters
- You want thick blends without stalling
- You value versatility over speed
Final Verdict
The Ninja BN401 is an excellent choice for daily smoothies—fast, powerful, and portable.
The Ninja SS101 stands out as a specialist blender for thick, demanding recipes. Thanks to SmartTORQUE, it handles blends that standard personal blenders struggle with.
Bottom line: Choose based on what you actually blend most often—not just wattage numbers.
- CERTIFIED REFURBISHED: This manufacturer-refurbished unit shows limited (if any) wear and...
- THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS: 14-oz. Smoothie Bowl Maker with built-in tamper blends and powers...
- SMOOTH NUTRIENT EXTRACTIONS: 24-oz. Nutrient Extraction Cup with better breakdown for...
- SMARTTORQUE TECHNOLOGY: Powerful 1200-peak-watt power-dense motor that powers through...
- 6 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 6 programs for one-touch blend, pulse, smoothies, extractions,...
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which blender is better for smoothies?
The Ninja BN401 is better for everyday smoothies because it is optimized for liquid-based blending.
Which blender is better for smoothie bowls and nut butters?
The Ninja SS101 is better for thick blends thanks to its SmartTORQUE motor and Power Nutri Bowl.
What is SmartTORQUE technology?
SmartTORQUE is a motor system that maintains blade speed under heavy load, preventing stalling with dense ingredients.
Is the Ninja SS101 harder to clean?
It is dishwasher-safe, but thick blends may require a quick brush clean behind the tamper paddles.
Can either blender handle hot liquids?
No. Neither the BN401 nor SS101 is designed for hot blending.
- CERTIFIED REFURBISHED: This manufacturer-refurbished unit shows limited (if any) wear and...
- THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS: 14-oz. Smoothie Bowl Maker with built-in tamper blends and powers...
- SMOOTH NUTRIENT EXTRACTIONS: 24-oz. Nutrient Extraction Cup with better breakdown for...
- SMARTTORQUE TECHNOLOGY: Powerful 1200-peak-watt power-dense motor that powers through...
- 6 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 6 programs for one-touch blend, pulse, smoothies, extractions,...
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that...
