Some kitchen appliances don’t just save time; they change the way you cook. That’s exactly how I felt when I first started using Ninja’s flip-up air fryer ovens. They don’t just fry or toast—they multitask in ways that make your regular oven feel outdated. The two most popular models in this category are the Ninja SP151 and the Ninja SP101. At first glance, they look almost identical, but using both side by side revealed some key differences that might sway you one way or the other.
Key Difference Between Ninja SP151 vs SP101 Flip-Up Air Fryer
The biggest difference between the SP151 and the SP101 lies in their capacity and cooking technology.
- The Ninja SP151 is designed for quick, family-sized meals with its 8-in-1 functionality and infrared OvenCrisp technology, which combines infrared heating with rapid hot air for even cooking. It’s perfect if you want crispier results and faster meals without firing up a large oven.
- The Ninja SP101, on the other hand, leans more toward versatility and precision. It offers Digital Crisp Control technology, giving you tighter control over heat, airflow, and cooking times. It also has a slightly larger usable cooking area, making it more suitable for pizzas and multiple slices of toast.
In short: the SP151 focuses on speed and crispness, while the SP101 emphasizes precision and a larger cooking surface.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- The ultimate meal-making machine: air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep Warm all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance.
Comparison Table: Ninja SP151 vs SP101 Flip-Up Air Fryer
| Feature | Ninja SP151 | Ninja SP101 |
| Functions | 8-in-1: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate | 8-in-1: Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Keep Warm |
| Technology | OvenCrisp Technology (infrared + convection) | Digital Crisp Control (precise temp & airflow) |
| Capacity | 12” pizza, 6 slices of bread, 4 lbs ingredients | 13” pizza, 9 slices of toast, 6 chicken breasts |
| Dimensions | 17.0”D x 15.7”W x 7.7”H | 19.7”W x 15.1”D x 7.5”H |
| Preheat Time | Very fast, 60 seconds or less | 60 seconds preheat |
| Cooking Speed | 50% faster than traditional ovens | Up to 60% faster than traditional ovens |
| Energy Efficiency | 80% more efficient than large ovens | Also energy efficient, faster overall |
| Cleaning | Easy-clean crumb tray, simple design | Removable crumb tray + back panel access |
| Included Accessories | Air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, crumb tray | Air fry basket, 13×13” sheet pan, wire rack, crumb tray |
| Best For | Crisp results and compact meals | Larger portions and precise control |
| Check Price & Reviews | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
Design and Build
Both ovens share the signature flip-up design, which is honestly one of the most practical features I’ve seen in kitchen appliances. After cooking, you can flip them upright to reclaim counter space, and they sit neatly against your backsplash.
The SP151 feels slightly more compact, making it better suited for kitchens where every inch of counter space matters. The SP101, being wider, feels a little bulkier but rewards you with more cooking surface area inside. If you’re into pizzas or making multiple sandwiches at once, the extra width of the SP101 really comes in handy.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- The ultimate meal-making machine: air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep Warm all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance.
Ease of Use
The SP151 is very straightforward. Its infrared heating makes it fast, and you don’t need to fiddle much with settings—great when I just wanted to throw in some wings or fries and get dinner going.
The SP101 gives you more control thanks to its Digital Crisp Control technology. I noticed this most when baking. Cookies and small cakes came out more evenly compared to the SP151, where sometimes the edges crisped faster than the center.
Cooking Functions
On paper, both have eight functions, but they’re not identical. The SP151 skips the Keep Warm feature, while the SP101 includes it. I didn’t think I’d use Keep Warm much, but on busy nights when my family wasn’t ready to eat right away, it kept food hot without drying it out.
That said, the SP151’s OvenCrisp tech really shines when air frying. Fries came out golden and crispy every time, while roasted veggies had that slight char you usually only get in a full oven.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- The ultimate meal-making machine: air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep Warm all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance.
Performance and Cooking Results
- Air Frying: Both delivered delicious results, but the SP151 edged ahead in crispiness thanks to its infrared heating.
- Baking: The SP101 had the upper hand with its more precise control, leading to even baking and fewer hot spots.
- Family Meals: Both can handle meals for 3–4 people, but the SP101’s larger surface made it easier to cook in one go.
- Speed: Both preheat in under a minute and cook much faster than a traditional oven. The SP151 felt slightly quicker when crisping smaller foods.
Cleaning
Cleaning is always a deciding factor for me. The SP151 is simple—wipe down, clean the tray, done. The SP101 goes a step further with a removable back panel, making it easier to deep-clean. If you use your oven daily, this feature really pays off in the long run.
Ninja SP151 Flip Toaster Oven&Air Fryer,
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
Pros:
- Compact design with flip-up storage
- Excellent crisping with OvenCrisp tech
- Fast cooking with 6 infrared heating elements
- Great energy efficiency
- Perfect for air frying and roasting
Cons:
- Slightly smaller cooking surface than SP101
- No Keep Warm function
- Can crisp edges faster than centers when baking
Ninja Foodi SP101/FT102CO Digital Fry
- The ultimate meal-making machine: air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep Warm all in one powerful 1800-watt appliance.
Pros:
- Larger cooking area, fits 13” pizza and more toast
- Digital Crisp Control for precise results
- Includes Keep Warm function
- Removable back panel for easier cleaning
- Excellent for baking and multi-item meals
Cons:
- Bulkier footprint on the counter
- Doesn’t crisp as aggressively as SP151 when air frying
- Slightly heavier to move around
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
After using both, I’d say it depends on what you value most in your kitchen.
- If you want a compact oven that excels at air frying and roasting with crispier, faster results, the Ninja SP151 is your go-to. It’s perfect for smaller kitchens or anyone who prioritizes crispy fries, wings, and roasted veggies.
- If you want a versatile, family-friendly oven with more cooking space and precise baking performance, the Ninja SP101 is the better option. The Keep Warm function and easier cleaning also make it more practical for daily family use.
Personally, I lean toward the SP101 for its larger capacity and baking consistency—it fits better into my daily routine. But when it comes to sheer crispiness and quick meals, the SP151 is hard to beat.
Either way, both models deliver on Ninja’s promise of convenience, speed, and flavor, making them solid upgrades from a traditional toaster oven.