Looking at the Ninja SS401 vs SS351 can be tough. I know. I use a countertop blender every single day. The kids want a cold drink after school. I need a fast protein shake after my run. I tested both of these machines hard. Let me share what I found out in my own kitchen.
Ninja SS401 Review
This machine is a huge beast. It does so much more than just blend. I was shocked by how many parts it has in the box. It takes up some space, but it works hard.
Pros and Cons
Here is what I loved and what made me mad.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for frozen fruit | Very loud motor |
| Slices and shreds food | Many parts to wash |
| Strong ice crushing blender | Takes up shelf space |
Real Experience After Months of Use
I use this high speed blender a lot. It is loud. You will feel the vibration on the counter. But it makes the best thick shake. It chews right through hard ice fast.
The smoothie texture is so smooth. Making a nut butter blender mix is very easy. The pulse setting works great for fresh salsa. Cleanup is quick if you rinse it right away. The lid fits very tight.
Recommendation
Get this if you want to chop, slice, and blend all in one. Skip it if you just want a simple smoothie blender. It has too many parts for basic needs.
Ninja SS351 Review
This is a great daily machine. It feels a bit lighter. I keep it right on my main counter. It gets the job done fast.
Pros and Cons
It has some huge wins and a few small flaws.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast personal blender cup | No slicing discs |
| Great thick bowls | Loud on high speed |
| Easy to store | Pitcher feels thin |
Real Experience After Months of Use
Busy mornings are crazy with the kids and the dog running around. This machine saves me time. I make a fast drink and run out the door. It handles frozen fruit with no trouble at all.
The blender jar pours nice and clean. It makes warm soup fast too. I feel pure relief when the thick bowls come out perfect. The base stays put on the counter. It is a solid choice.
Recommendation
Buy this if you want great drinks and thick bowls. Skip it if you need to shred cheese or slice veggies. It is perfect for fast, daily use.
Detailed Comparison for Ninja SS401 vs SS351
Let us look close at how they match up. I tested them side by side. Here is the real truth.
Motor Power & Speed – Ninja SS401 vs SS351
Both have a huge motor. They spin very fast. You will not lack power with either one. They both crush hard ice fast.
| Feature | Ninja SS401 | Ninja SS351 |
| Base Power | 1200 Watts | 1200 Watts |
| Ice Crushing | Fast | Fast |
| Speeds | Variable | Variable |
Rating
Ninja SS401: 9/10
Ninja SS351: 9/10
Smoothie Texture – Ninja SS401 vs SS351
I hate chunks in my drink. Both make a very smooth drink. The blades spin fast to chop seeds. The personal blender cup works best for this.
| Feature | Ninja SS401 | Ninja SS351 |
| Green Drinks | Very Smooth | Very Smooth |
| Berry Seeds | Chopped well | Chopped well |
| Thick Shakes | Great | Great |
Rating
Ninja SS401: 9/10
Ninja SS351: 9/10
Ease of Use – Ninja SS401 vs SS351
The buttons are clear and bright. You just push a button and walk away. The SS401 has more parts to figure out. The SS351 is much simpler to use on a busy day.
| Feature | Ninja SS401 | Ninja SS351 |
| Setup Time | Slow | Fast |
| Daily Use | Good | Great |
| Controls | Easy | Easy |
Rating
Ninja SS401: 7/10
Ninja SS351: 9/10
Cleaning & Maintenance – Ninja SS401 vs SS351
I hate doing dishes. I always rinse the parts right after I pour my drink. Both are easy to wash if you do it fast. The SS401 food discs are sharp and scary to wash.
| Feature | Ninja SS401 | Ninja SS351 |
| Blade Care | Careful | Careful |
| Dishwasher | Yes | Yes |
| Hand Wash | Harder | Easier |
Rating
Ninja SS401: 6/10
Ninja SS351: 8/10
Counter Space & Storage – Ninja SS401 vs SS351
Space is tight in my kitchen. The SS401 box has a lot of big parts. You need a big drawer for all the discs. The SS351 fits much better in a small space.
| Feature | Ninja SS401 | Ninja SS351 |
| Base Size | Big | Big |
| Extra Parts | Many | Few |
| Storage | Hard | Easy |
Rating
Ninja SS401: 5/10
Ninja SS351: 8/10
Final Verdict
You cannot go wrong with either one. Buy the Ninja SS401 if you need to slice and shred food for big family meals. Buy the Ninja SS351 if you just want the best daily drinks and thick bowls. The SS351 is my top pick for most normal kitchens.