Ninja BN801 vs BN701 Blender: Which One Actually Belongs on Your Counter?
Shopping for a Ninja blender gets confusing fast once you land on the Professional Plus lineup, because the BN801 and BN701 look almost identical on the outside and share the same motor base. Both promise 1400 peak watts, both use the Total Crushing blade system, and both come with the same 72-ounce pitcher. So where does the real difference show up, and is it worth paying more for one over the other?
The main difference between the Ninja BN801 and the Ninja BN701 comes down to scope: the BN801 is sold as a full kitchen system with a separate food processor bowl and two personal to-go cups bundled in, while the BN701 is strictly a pitcher blender built around one jar. If your kitchen tasks stop at smoothies, frozen drinks, and crushed ice, that extra hardware on the BN801 may just be clutter. If you also want to chop vegetables, mix dough, or blend single-serve cups without pulling out a separate appliance, the added pieces change the calculation.
Below we break down the full spec sheet, how each model handles real kitchen tasks, where the price difference actually goes, and which one fits different types of cooks.
Model Overview
Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System
Built around the same 1400-peak-watt motor and 72-ounce Total Crushing Pitcher, the BN801 adds a 64-ounce Precision Processor Bowl for chopping and dough, plus two 24-ounce to-go cups with spout lids. Auto-iQ presets cover smoothies, frozen drinks, nutrient extraction, chopping, and dough.
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
The BN701 keeps things focused on one 72-ounce Total Crushing Pitcher with a 64-ounce max fill line. It ships with three Auto-iQ presets tuned for smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, without the processor bowl or personal cups.
Full Specs Table
| Spec | Ninja BN801 | Ninja BN701 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power | 1400 peak watts | 1400 peak watts |
| Main pitcher | 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher | 72 oz Total Crushing Pitcher |
| Max liquid fill | 64 oz | 64 oz |
| Food processor bowl | 64 oz Precision Processor Bowl | Not included |
| Personal cups | Two 24 oz To-Go Cups with spout lids | Not included |
| Auto-iQ presets | Smoothie, frozen drink, nutrient extraction, chop, dough | Smoothie, frozen drink, ice cream |
| Blade type | Stacked Total Crushing blades | Stacked Total Crushing blades |
| Speed settings | Low / Medium / High plus pulse | Low / Medium / High plus pulse |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Pitcher, blade assembly, processor bowl, cups | Pitcher and blade assembly |
| Best for | Blending plus chopping, dough, single-serve cups | Blending-focused households |
| Counter footprint | Larger, more storage for extra pieces | Smaller, single-unit footprint |
| Included guide | Recipe inspiration guide | Recipe inspiration guide |
| Warranty coverage | Limited manufacturer warranty | Limited manufacturer warranty |
| Typical price position | Higher, reflects extra attachments | Lower, blender-only pricing |
| Color options | Multiple finishes available | Multiple finishes available |
Smart Technology
Both models rely on Ninja's Auto-iQ system, which strings together timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns so you press one button instead of babysitting speed dials. The BN701 keeps this to three drink-focused programs, which covers the vast majority of what a pitcher blender gets used for day to day.
The BN801 carries the same Auto-iQ foundation but extends it to cover the processor bowl, adding chop and dough programs that adjust pulse timing for solid ingredients rather than liquids. That extra intelligence only matters if you actually use the bowl attachment; if you never touch it, the two units behave identically at the pitcher.
Capacity & Batch Size
Because both blenders share the identical 72-ounce Total Crushing Pitcher with the same 64-ounce fill line, batch size for smoothies, frozen drinks, and crushed ice is a non-issue in this comparison — neither model out-blends the other in raw pitcher volume.
Where capacity diverges is outside the pitcher. The BN801's 64-ounce processor bowl gives it room to chop a full head of cauliflower or mix a batch of pizza dough, and the two 24-ounce to-go cups let you portion single servings without dirtying the big pitcher. The BN701 has no equivalent, so multi-serving pitcher blends are its only mode.
Design & Build Quality
Side by side, the motor bases look nearly the same, with the same control dial and paddle layout. The BN801 sits taller in the box and takes up noticeably more cabinet space once you factor in the processor bowl, its lid, and two cups, so measure your storage before buying.
Materials are consistent across both: BPA-free plastic pitchers and bowls, a stacked stainless-blade assembly, and a die-cast motor base that keeps the unit planted during high-speed ice crushing. Neither model feels like a downgrade from the other in fit and finish — the difference is purely in what ships in the box.
Real-World Performance
With matching motors and blades, ice crushing, smoothie texture, and frozen-drink consistency come out essentially the same between the BN801 and BN701 in the pitcher. Neither one struggles with frozen fruit or ice cubes on the high setting, and both benefit from adding a splash of liquid before running a full load of ice.
The performance gap only appears when a task falls outside pitcher blending. Ask the BN701 to chop onions or knead dough and it simply can't, since it has no processor attachment. The BN801 handles those jobs reasonably well for a bundled attachment, though a dedicated food processor will still out-perform it on large or tough batches.
Who Should Buy Which
Daily smoothie drinker
Either model works — the BN701 saves money if smoothies and shakes are all you need.
Meal-prep cook
The BN801's processor bowl handles chopping vegetables and mixing dough alongside blending.
Small kitchen, tight storage
The BN701's single-unit footprint is easier to store than the BN801's extra pieces.
Single-serve smoothie fan
The BN801's 24-oz to-go cups let you blend and drink from the same container.
Frozen cocktail host
Both crush ice equally well in the shared 72-oz pitcher for party-size batches.
Budget-conscious buyer
The BN701 delivers the same core blending power without paying for unused attachments.
Pros & Cons
Ninja BN801
Pros
- Food processor bowl for chopping and dough
- Two to-go cups for single-serve blending
- More Auto-iQ presets to choose from
- One appliance covers more kitchen tasks
Cons
- Higher price for pieces you may not use
- Takes up more storage space
- More parts to wash after each use
Ninja BN701
Pros
- Lower price for the same core blending power
- Smaller footprint, easier to store
- Fewer parts to clean
- Same 1400W motor and pitcher as the BN801
Cons
- No food processor bowl included
- No personal to-go cups
- Fewer Auto-iQ presets available
Final Verdict
Once you get past the shared motor and pitcher, this comparison really comes down to whether the extra attachments earn their keep in your kitchen. The main difference between the Ninja BN801 and the BN701 is scope, not power — one is a kitchen system, the other is a dedicated pitcher blender, and neither out-blends the other where they actually overlap.
Choose the BN801 if you want chopping, dough mixing, and single-serve cups bundled with your blender. Choose the BN701 if smoothies, frozen drinks, and crushed ice cover everything you need, and you'd rather not pay for or store pieces that will sit unused in a cabinet.
Our Pick: It Depends on How You Cook
For most households that only blend, the Ninja BN701 is the smarter buy — same motor, same pitcher, lower price. For anyone who wants a true all-in-one kitchen system, the Ninja BN801 is worth the upgrade.
Which Should You Buy?
| If you... | Buy this |
|---|---|
| Only blend smoothies, shakes, and frozen drinks | Ninja BN701 |
| Want to chop, puree, or mix dough too | Ninja BN801 |
| Need single-serve cups for on-the-go smoothies | Ninja BN801 |
| Have limited counter or cabinet space | Ninja BN701 |
| Want the lowest price for full blending power | Ninja BN701 |
| Want one appliance to replace several | Ninja BN801 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Ninja BN801 and the BN701?
The main difference between the Ninja BN801 and the BN701 is that the BN801 is a full kitchen system with a food processor bowl and personal cups included, while the BN701 is a standalone pitcher blender built around one 72-ounce jar.
Is the Ninja BN801 worth the extra money over the BN701?
If you plan to chop, puree, or make dough in addition to blending smoothies, the BN801 earns its higher price through the processor bowl and to-go cups. If you only need a pitcher blender, the BN701 covers the same core blending tasks for less.
Do the BN801 and BN701 use the same motor?
Both models share a 1400-peak-watt motor base and the same Total Crushing pitcher, so raw blending and ice-crushing power feels nearly identical between the two.
Which model is better for smoothies?
Both blend smoothies equally well thanks to the shared motor and Total Crushing blades. The BN801 adds 24-ounce to-go cups for single-serve smoothies, which the BN701 does not include.
Can the BN701 chop or process food like the BN801?
No. The BN701 does not include a food processor bowl, so it is not designed for chopping vegetables, making dough, or similar processing tasks the way the BN801 is.
Are the pitchers interchangeable between the two models?
Both use the same 72-ounce Total Crushing Pitcher with a 64-ounce max fill line, so the core blending jar is effectively identical between the BN801 and BN701.
Which model takes up less counter space?
The BN701 has a smaller footprint since it is only a pitcher blender, while the BN801 needs extra storage room for its processor bowl and to-go cups.
Is either model dishwasher safe?
Yes. On both models the pitcher, lid, and stacked blade assembly are BPA-free and safe on the top rack of a dishwasher, along with the BN801's processor bowl and cups.
