If you want a machine that makes smoothies and thick bowls, you might like this one. I used it for weeks to see if it is truly good. This Ninja SS351 review will show you what it is really like to use every day.
It is a loud and strong machine meant for busy homes. It does a great job, but it is not perfect. I will share the good parts and the small headaches I found while cooking.
Quick Verdict
Here is a fast look at what I think about this blender.
| Category | Verdict |
| Best For | Making thick bowls and crushing tough ice |
| Not Ideal For | Quiet mornings or small kitchens |
| Biggest Strength | Huge motor power for fast blends |
| Biggest Weakness | It is extremely loud when running |
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
Unboxing & First Impressions
I took it out of the box. The first thing I saw was its big size. It takes up a lot of countertop space.
The BPA-free jar felt solid in my hands. There was a slight plastic smell at first. The cord length is good, but the base is very heavy. The lid lock took a few tries to figure out. I actually forgot to lock it once, and the blender just blinked at me. The buttons click nicely, but the whole setup looks bulky on my counter.
Blending Performance
The motor power is huge. But how does it handle real food? I tested it with different recipes to check the blending performance.
Frozen fruit smoothie
The frozen fruit smoothie came out very smooth in about 50 seconds on high. I saw no big chunks left behind. The smoothie texture is great. I did have to push a few berry pieces down with the tamper first.
Crushing ice
When crushing ice, the blades turn cubes into snow very fast. I used the pulse function to keep control. Sometimes, a few ice chunks hide near the top if you fill the jar too high.
Hot soup or sauce
I made a hot tomato soup. It blended very well. But be careful when you open it. I got splatter marks on the counter after opening the lid too fast. Steam builds up fast inside.
Thick blend or nut butter
Making peanut butter was a bit tricky. It makes a great thick blend, but fibrous ingredients wrap around the blades. The variable speed control helps you slowly grind the nuts down to a paste.
Real-Life Daily Use Experience
Using this blender every morning is mostly easy. My routine involves tossing in fruits, ice, and milk for a fast drink. The blend speed options are clear to read. Pouring from the blender jar is simple, though the spout can drip down the front.
There are a few small annoyances. If you forget to rinse the jar right away, the food dries hard on the sides. Also, the gasket smells a bit after blending garlic for salsa. The bright screen is nice to read. But the base moves slightly on the counter when mixing thick doughs.
Design & Build Quality
This machine mixes hard plastic and some metal parts. It feels sturdy enough for daily kitchen tasks.
| Part | Material | Feel |
| Base | Heavy Plastic | Very stable |
| Jar | Tritan Plastic | Clear and tough |
| Blades | Stainless Steel | Very sharp |
The handle feels strong when the jar is full. However, the shiny base shows fingerprints very fast. It feels nice, but you have to wipe it down often to keep it clean.
Noise Level
This blender is very loud. The noise level is definitely its biggest flaw.
If you run it early in the morning, the loud motor will wake people up. Crushing ice sounds like a drill running in your kitchen. Using the pulse function sends sharp bursts of noise that make my dog run away. You cannot talk to someone while it runs. It shakes the counter a little bit, too.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning this machine is a mixed bag. You must rinse the jar immediately so food does not dry on the walls.
| Task | Difficulty | Note |
| Quick Rinse | Easy | Use warm water |
| Deep Clean | Medium | Blades are sharp |
| Lid Wash | Hard | Food gets stuck |
The self-clean cycle works well for basic fruit drinks. But the blade assembly is tricky to clean by hand. I noticed the jar discoloring slightly after blending turmeric for a health shot. Also, smoothie liquid sometimes leaks from the bottom blade seal if it is not totally tight. The lid gasket holds bad odors, so I soak it in vinegar once a week.
Pros and Cons
Here is a quick look at the best and worst parts. No blender is perfect, and this one has clear trade-offs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing at crushing ice | Very loud motor |
| Makes smooth textures fast | Takes up too much room |
| Very strong blade assembly | Gasket holds bad food smells |
Comparison With Similar Blenders
How does it hold up against other popular models? I tested it against another common blender to see the differences.
Ninja Professional Plus
This model is older but still very popular. I used it for a long time before trying this new one.
| Feature | Ninja SS351 | Ninja Pro Plus |
| Motor Watts | 1200 Watts | 1000 Watts |
| Noise Level | Very Loud | Loud |
| Thick Bowls | Excellent | Average |
The SS351 is much better for thick smoothie bowls. But the older Pro Plus takes up less room on the counter. Both have super sharp blades that require careful washing in the sink.
Who Should Buy This Blender?
This machine fits very specific needs. Make sure it matches how you actually cook.
Buy This If:
- You make thick smoothie bowls a lot.
- You need to crush a lot of ice very fast.
- You want smart buttons that do the work for you.
Avoid This If:
- You live in an apartment with thin walls.
- You hate washing sharp, stacked blades.
- You have very little counter space left.
Long-Term Durability
After weeks of heavy use, the blender holds up very well. The blade assembly stays very sharp.
However, the plastic jar gets tiny scratches from hitting hard ice. The clear plastic might look cloudy after a few years. The rubber lid gasket seems like it might wear out over time. If it breaks, the leak-proof lid will start to drip. The buttons and motor still feel just as strong as day one.
Energy Efficiency
The powerful motor draws a lot of power from the wall. You can feel the heat build up during long blends.
It is very efficient for single servings because it works so fast. The auto shut-off keeps the motor from burning out. It does blow a little warm air from the base when running for a long time. It is totally worth using for quick daily meal prep.
Final Verdict: Ninja SS351 Review
In the end, this blender is a true beast. This Ninja SS351 review comes down to one simple thing: power versus noise.
If you want smooth drinks and thick bowls, it is a great buy. Just be ready for the loud sounds and the large size. I genuinely recommend it if you blend tough items every day. It handles hard work much better than most machines.