Trying to pick a new kitchen tool is hard. I spent weeks looking at the Ninja SS201 vs SS351 to see which one is best. You want a great smoothie blender that works fast. A good countertop blender should not waste your time on a busy morning. I tested both of them side by side. Here is what I learned from real use.
Ninja SS201 Review
The SS201 is a big and strong machine. It sits on the counter and does heavy work. I used it mostly for family meals and big drinks. It feels solid and holds a lot.
Pros and Cons
It is great for big jobs, but it lacks small cups. Here is what I liked and hated.
| Pros | Cons |
| Huge blender jar | No personal cups |
| Fast ice crushing blender | Very loud motor |
| Great for big batches | Hard to clean sharp blades |
Real Experience After Months of Use
I used this daily for a post-workout drink. The huge blender jar makes smooth liquid fast. It crushes frozen fruit and ice with no problem. But, the motor is very loud. It shakes the counter a bit. Making a single protein shake in a giant pitcher feels silly.
The lid fits tight, which gives me relief. I always rinsed right after use to keep the blades clean. Pouring is very easy. It takes up a lot of space. It is a very basic machine.
Recommendation
Buy this if you cook for a big family. Skip it if you just want a quick drink for one person.
Ninja SS351 Review
The SS351 comes with extra cups and bowls. It is a full system. I loved having more options for my morning drinks. It feels like three machines in one.
Pros and Cons
This high speed blender is a joy to use, but it has parts to store. Here is the breakdown.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great personal blender | Takes up lots of storage space |
| Perfect for a thick shake | Motor is still very loud |
| Good nut butter blender | More parts to clean |
Real Experience After Months of Use
I used it daily for a quick breakfast. I often skipped presets and just used the pulse setting. The small cups are perfect for a fast drink. I could make a very thick shake with no chunks. The built-in tamper in the bowl was a nice surprise.
It makes the best smoothie texture I have seen. Making peanut butter was easy. I just had some frustration finding space for all the parts. It does not make warm soup, but cold drinks are perfect. I felt great satisfaction with my drinks.
Recommendation
Buy this if you love thick bowls and personal shakes. Skip it if you hate washing lots of parts.
Detailed Comparison for Ninja SS201 vs SS351
Putting the Ninja SS201 vs SS351 head to head shows clear wins. They share the same base, but the tools change how you use them. Let us look at the facts.
Motor Power & Speed – Ninja SS201 vs SS351
Both have huge power. They spin fast and blend hard. You will not notice a speed change between them.
| Feature | Ninja SS201 | Ninja SS351 |
| Peak Power | 1200 Watts | 1200 Watts |
| Speed | Very high | Very high |
| Auto-iQ | Yes | Yes |
Rating:
Ninja SS201: 9/10
Ninja SS351: 9/10
Jar Capacity & Size – Ninja SS201 vs SS351
Size matters a lot in the kitchen. The SS201 is just the big pitcher. The SS351 adds very handy small cups.
| Feature | Ninja SS201 | Ninja SS351 |
| Main Pitcher | 72 oz | 72 oz |
| Extra Cups | None | 24 oz cup, 14 oz bowl |
| Storage Size | Medium | Large |
Rating:
Ninja SS201: 7/10
Ninja SS351: 10/10
Smoothie Texture – Ninja SS201 vs SS351
The big pitcher does a fine job. But the SS351 small cups make drinks much smoother. The tight space grinds fruit better.
| Feature | Ninja SS201 | Ninja SS351 |
| Big Batch Texture | Very Smooth | Very Smooth |
| Single Serve Texture | Good | Perfect |
| Thick Bowls | Hard to make | Easy to make |
Rating:
Ninja SS201: 8/10
Ninja SS351: 10/10
Cleaning & Maintenance – Ninja SS201 vs SS351
Both have very sharp blades. I always wash them fast. The SS351 just has more pieces to scrub.
| Feature | Ninja SS201 | Ninja SS351 |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Blade Type | Removable tower | Tower & cup blades |
| Wash Effort | Low | Medium |
Rating:
Ninja SS201: 9/10
Ninja SS351: 7/10
Noise Level – Ninja SS201 vs SS351
These machines will wake up the house. They are loud. There is no quiet mode on either base.
| Feature | Ninja SS201 | Ninja SS351 |
| Base Noise | Very Loud | Very Loud |
| Vibration | High | High |
| Morning Use | Annoying | Annoying |
Rating:
Ninja SS201: 5/10
Ninja SS351: 5/10
Final Verdict
The winner depends on your habits. The SS201 is the best budget pick for big batches and families. The SS351 is the best overall for single drinks and thick bowls. I personally reach for the SS351 more often for my own quick meals.