If your kitchen counters are currently engaged in a losing battle against appliance clutter, you’ve likely looked at Ninja’s “Flip” series with a mix of curiosity and hope. The idea is simple but brilliant: a powerful air fry oven that stands on its hind legs to reclaim your workspace when the cooking is done. Recently, I cleared off a corner of my own kitchen to put the Ninja SP151 and its successor, the Ninja SP201 Digital Air Fry Pro, through their paces.
On paper, they look like siblings from the same high-tech lineage—both boast 1800 watts of power and the same space-saving DNA. But after roasting a full chicken, crisping up batches of fries, and attempting to toast a literal loaf’s worth of bread, I found that the “Pro” moniker on the SP201 isn’t just for show. One is a compact miracle for small apartments, while the other is a serious culinary upgrade that fixes the one major complaint of the original series: the height. If you’re trying to decide if the extra verticality of the SP201 is worth the upgrade, here is my “from the kitchen floor” perspective.
The Key Difference: Vertical Clearance and Capacity
The fundamental difference between the Ninja SP151 and the SP201 is the internal cooking height and overall width. The Ninja SP201 features an extended height design, allowing it to fit larger items like a 2-lb roast or bulkier chicken breasts that might touch the heating elements in the older model.
Furthermore, while the SP151 fits a 12″ pizza and 6 slices of toast, the Ninja SP201 expands the capacity to a 13″ pizza and 9 slices of toast. In short, the SP201 is the “XL” version, offering more room for actual baking and roasting without losing the ability to flip up and away.
Comparison Table: Ninja SP151 vs. SP201
| Feature | Ninja SP151 (Original) | Ninja SP201 (Digital Pro) |
| Wattage | 1800 Watts | 1800 Watts |
| 8-in-1 Functions | Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate | Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Keep Warm |
| Toast Capacity | 6 Slices | 9 Slices |
| Pizza Capacity | 12-inch | 13-inch |
| Height Profile | Low (7.68″) | Extended (8.15″) |
| Width | 15.75″ | 20.21″ (Wider footprint) |
| Heating Tech | OvenCrisp Technology | Digital Crisp Control Pro |
| Space Savings | 50% less space flipped | 45% less space flipped |
| View Current Price on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Hands-On Test
Testing these was a lesson in physics and counter-management. I wanted to see if the SP201’s “Pro” upgrades actually made a difference in a Tuesday night dinner rush.
Design: The Flip Factor and Footprint
Both units share that satisfying “hinge” design. When you’re done cooking, you just tilt the oven 90 degrees upward. It sits against your backsplash like a sleek, stainless steel book.
However, the SP151 is the true king of the tiny kitchen. It’s significantly narrower (under 16 inches). If you have a studio apartment or a dorm-style kitchen, the SP151 fits where the SP201 won’t. The SP201 is a much wider machine—over 20 inches across. While it still flips up to save depth, it takes up more “horizontal” real estate. The trade-off is the height; that extra half-inch of clearance in the SP201 doesn’t sound like much, but it means your bagels don’t get scorched by being too close to the top elements.
Ease of Use: Precision vs. Simplicity
The interface on the SP201 felt a bit more “intelligent” during my testing. It uses what Ninja calls Digital Crisp Control, which seems to manage the fan speed more effectively. When I was toasting, the SP201 gave me a specific “doneness” selector that was remarkably accurate.
The SP151 is very straightforward. The buttons are tactile and easy to read, but the air flow felt a bit more aggressive. While it heats up incredibly fast (ready to cook in about 60 seconds), I had to keep a closer eye on my toast in the SP151 to prevent it from going from “gold” to “charcoal” in the blink of an eye.
Functions: The “Extended” Advantage
I ran a “Roasted Chicken” test on both. In the SP151, a standard chicken breast was a tight fit vertically. If the meat is too thick, it sits dangerously close to the infrared bulbs. In the SP201, the extended height allowed me to roast a 2-lb pork loin with room to breathe.
The SP201 also adds a dedicated “Keep Warm” function. I didn’t think I’d care about this until I was finishing a pasta dish while my garlic bread was already done. Keeping the bread warm without continuing to cook/dry it out was a luxury the SP151 lacked. Also, if you’re a family of four, the 9-slice toast capacity of the SP201 means everyone eats at the same time. With the 6-slice SP151, someone is always waiting for the next batch.
Maintenance: The Crumb Tray Challenge
Both ovens feature a bottom that opens up for cleaning, which is a design choice I wish every toaster oven had. You can flip the unit up and unlatch the back to really get in there with a sponge.
Because the SP201 is larger, the crumb tray is wider and caught more debris during my “everything bagel” test. The SP151, being more compact, felt a bit more prone to “grease splatter” on the top heating elements because the food is closer to them. If you hate that “burnt oil” smell, you’ll likely find the SP201 stays cleaner for longer because there’s more air buffer between the food and the heat source.
Ninja SP151 (The Space Saver) Toaster Oven
Pros:
- Ultra-Compact: The best choice for truly tiny counters.
- Energy Efficient: Significantly faster and cheaper to run than a full-sized oven.
- OvenCrisp Tech: Great for getting that “fried” texture on frozen snacks.
- Lightweight: Easier to move if you need to deep-clean the counter.
Cons:
- Height Restrictions: Very easy to burn the top of taller foods (muffins, thick roasts).
- Smaller Capacity: Only fits a 12″ pizza.
Ninja SP201 (The Pro Performer) Toaster Oven
Pros:
- Extended Height: Finally fits taller items and thicker cuts of meat.
- XL Capacity: 13″ pizza and 9 slices of toast make it a true family workhorse.
- Digital Precision: Better heat and fan control for more even results.
- Keep Warm Feature: A small but vital addition for meal timing.
Cons:
- Large Footprint: Takes up a lot of horizontal space, even when flipped.
- Price: Generally carries a higher price tag for the “Pro” features.
The Final Recommendation: Which “Flip” Wins?
After a week of flipping these ovens up and down, the choice comes down to your “vertical” needs.
I recommend the Ninja SP151 if you are a single person or a couple living in a space where every square inch is a luxury. If you primarily use your toaster oven for toast, frozen pizzas, and thin chicken cutlets, the SP151 provides all the power you need in the smallest possible package. It is the ultimate “apartment dweller’s” air fryer.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge even cooking.
I recommend the Ninja SP201 if you actually plan on cooking meals in this device. The extended height is the “fix” that the original Ninja Flip oven needed. Being able to roast a small bird or bake a tray of thicker biscuits without them hitting the ceiling makes this a much more versatile kitchen tool. If you have the counter width to spare, the SP201 is the superior appliance in every measurable way.
- DIGITAL CRISP CONTROL TECHNOLOGY: Precision-controlled temperature, heat source, and air flow for ultimate versatility and optimum cooking performance.
- INCREASED HEIGHT: Increased height capacity vs. the original Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven. Fits a full 2-lb roast.
In my kitchen, the Ninja SP201 is the keeper. That extra height means I can cook a wider variety of foods without the “burn anxiety” that comes with the low-profile SP151.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I actually bake cookies in these?
A: Yes! Both have a “Bake” function. However, because the heat is so close to the tray, I recommend lowering your recipe’s temperature by about 25°F and checking them a few minutes early.
Q: Does the “Flip” mechanism feel sturdy?
A: Surprisingly, yes. Ninja built these with heavy-duty hinges. They don’t feel “floppy” or like they will tip over. There’s a solid “thud” when they lock into the upright position.
Q: Is the air fryer as good as a basket-style Ninja?
A: It’s different. Basket air fryers are better for “shaking” things like fries. In these ovens, you have to spread the food out on the air fry basket. It’s better for things like wings or sliced veggies where you want edge-to-edge crisping without stacking.
Q: Does the outside get hot?
A: Yes, very. These are stainless steel ovens. You shouldn’t store anything on top of them while they are in use, and keep them a few inches away from plastic items on your counter.
Q: Can I fit a 9×13 baking pan?
A: The SP201 can fit some 13″ pans, but they usually need to be the ones without handles. A standard 9×13 glass Pyrex with handles will likely be too wide for the SP151 and a tight squeeze for the SP201.
