At first glance, the Ninja SP101 and Ninja SP151 look like the same countertop air fryer oven with different model numbers. Both flip up to save space, both air fry, bake, roast, and toast, and both come from Ninja’s popular Foodi lineup.
But once you start using them daily, the differences become very real. These are not just software updates or marketing tweaks—there are actual design changes that affect cleaning, capacity, and what fits inside. This comparison focuses on what matters in a real kitchen, not just what looks good on a product page.
Main Difference Between Ninja SP101 Vs SP151
The main difference between the Ninja SP101 and Ninja SP151 comes down to fan placement, interior depth, cleaning access, and cooking presets. While both use similar power levels, their internal design choices create clear trade-offs.
The Ninja SP101 uses a side-mounted fan and includes a flip-down rear access panel that allows deep cleaning behind the heating elements. The Ninja SP151 moved the fan to the back wall, which improves air circulation for roasting and air frying—but removes the rear cleaning door and slightly reduces front-to-back space inside the oven.
In practical terms, the SP151 cooks a bit more evenly, while the SP101 is easier to clean and slightly better at fitting larger items like a full 13-inch pizza.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Ninja SP101 | Ninja SP151 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fry Capacity | 4 Quarts | 5.5 Quarts |
| Fan Location | Side-mounted | Back-mounted |
| Cleaning Access | Flip-down rear panel (easy deep clean) | No rear access panel (harder to deep clean) |
| Unique Preset | Air Broil | Pizza |
| Pizza Fit | Fits 13” pizza comfortably | 12” ideal, 13” tight fit |
- DIGITAL CRISP CONTROL TECHNOLOGY: Precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and...
- 8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry,...
- LESS FAT: Eat all of your air fried favorites guilt-free with up to 75% less fat when...
- FASTER COOKING: Cooks up to 60% faster than a traditional oven on Air Roast; 60-second...
- LARGE CAPACITY: 45% larger usable pan cooking area vs. the flat surface area of the...
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store...
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge...
- 8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
- LARGE CAPACITY, SMALL FOOTPRINT: Air fry & roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, bake a 12”...
- QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20...
Design and Countertop Space
Both models share Ninja’s flip-up design, which allows the oven to store vertically against the backsplash. This saves a significant amount of counter space compared to traditional toaster ovens.
From the outside, the SP101 and SP151 appear nearly identical. The difference is internal—the SP151 is slightly shallower due to the rear fan placement. This isn’t noticeable until you try to fit wider or deeper foods.
Cooking Performance and Airflow
The rear-mounted fan in the Ninja SP151 improves airflow consistency, especially during air roasting and air frying. Foods like chicken wings and frozen fries cook more evenly with fewer hot spots.
The SP101 still performs very well, but thicker foods may need turning or repositioning more often to achieve uniform browning.
Air Frying Results
Both ovens deliver crispy air-fried results with minimal oil. The SP151 has a slight edge when cooking larger batches, thanks to its higher advertised air fry capacity.
For everyday air frying of snacks or small meals, the difference is subtle. For frequent or heavier air frying, the SP151 feels more efficient.
Pizza, Baking, and Broiling
The Ninja SP151 introduces a dedicated Pizza preset designed to balance bottom heat and airflow for crisp crusts. This is useful for frozen and fresh pizzas alike.
However, the interior depth trade-off means a full 13-inch pizza fits more comfortably in the SP101. If pizza night is a weekly ritual, this difference matters.
The SP101 includes an Air Broil function, while the SP151 replaces it with a standard Broil mode. This change reflects a shift toward conventional oven behavior rather than specialized airflow broiling.
Cleaning and Maintenance (Major Difference)
This is where many long-term users notice the biggest difference. The Ninja SP101 includes a flip-down rear panel that exposes the heating elements and fan area for cleaning. This makes it much easier to wipe away grease buildup over time.
The Ninja SP151 removes this access panel. While the crumb tray is still removable, deep cleaning the back fan area requires reaching into tighter spaces. Users who cook bacon, burgers, or chicken frequently may find this less convenient.
If easy maintenance is a top priority, the SP101 has a real advantage here.
Noise Level
In real-world use, both models operate around 65–70 dB, comparable to a loud conversation or dishwasher. Neither oven is excessively noisy, and both are quieter than many standalone air fryers.
Energy Use and Speed
Both ovens use similar power levels, but the SP151 often finishes cooking slightly faster due to improved airflow. Over time, this can translate to minor energy savings.
Who Should Choose the Ninja SP101?
- You want the easiest deep-cleaning experience
- You regularly cook full 13-inch pizzas
- You prefer proven, simpler engineering
- You value maintenance over small performance gains
- DIGITAL CRISP CONTROL TECHNOLOGY: Precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and...
- 8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry,...
- LESS FAT: Eat all of your air fried favorites guilt-free with up to 75% less fat when...
- FASTER COOKING: Cooks up to 60% faster than a traditional oven on Air Roast; 60-second...
- LARGE CAPACITY: 45% larger usable pan cooking area vs. the flat surface area of the...
Who Should Choose the Ninja SP151?
- You air fry frequently
- You cook larger batches of food
- You want more even airflow and roasting
- You like having a dedicated pizza preset
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store...
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge...
- 8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
- LARGE CAPACITY, SMALL FOOTPRINT: Air fry & roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, bake a 12”...
- QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20...
Related Ninja Model Comparison
If you’re comparing Ninja products across different categories, understanding how Ninja evolves designs can help avoid buyer’s remorse. You may find this related comparison useful:
Ninja NC301 vs NC501 vs NC701 Comparison
Final Verdict
The Ninja SP101 and Ninja SP151 are both excellent countertop air fryer ovens, but they serve different priorities. The SP151 offers better airflow and newer presets, while the SP101 remains easier to clean and more forgiving with larger foods.
If you value cooking performance and capacity, the SP151 is the better choice. If you care about long-term maintenance and interior space, the SP101 may actually be the smarter buy.
Choosing the right model comes down to how you cook—not which one is newer.
