The primary distinction that dictates whether you should choose the Ninja BN701 or the Ninja SS351 centers entirely on accessory versatility versus dedicated, simplified large-batch capacity. While the Ninja BN701 delivers a focused blending experience built around a single full-size pitcher designed primarily for frozen drinks and purees, the Ninja SS351 functions as a complete culinary system engineered to blend personal drinks, churn dense smoothie bowls, knead yeast doughs, and process whole vegetables.
Buyers who prepare large pitchers of smoothies or crushed ice drinks and prefer minimal cleanup with zero attachment clutter should choose the Ninja BN701. Conversely, home chefs seeking an all-in-one kitchen powerhouse that handles single-serve extraction cups, thick nut butters, and specialized food processing alongside pitcher duties should invest in the Ninja SS351.
Ninja BN701 vs Ninja SS351 at a Glance
| Feature | Ninja BN701 | Ninja SS351 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Motor Wattage | 1400 Peak Watts | 1400 Peak Watts |
| Operating Wattage | 1400 Watts | 1200 Watts |
| Motor Technology | Direct Drive Motor | smartTORQUE Motor |
| Pitcher Total Capacity | 72 oz. | 72 oz. |
| Pitcher Max Liquid Capacity | 64 oz. | 64 oz. |
| Included Vessels | 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher | 72-oz. Pitcher, 24-oz. Cup, 14-oz. Bowl Maker |
| Included Blade Assemblies | Stacked Blade Assembly | Hybrid Edge, Chopping Blade, Dough Blade |
| Auto-iQ Presets | 3 Programs | 6 Programs |
| Speed Control Options | Multiple Speeds with Pulse | 11 Speeds with Variable Speed Control |
| Best For | Family-sized frozen drinks and simple purees | Multi-vessel food processing, dough, and personal drinks |
Motor Power and smartTORQUE Technology
Motor torque and sustained rotational power determine how smoothly an appliance handles dense ingredients without overheating or seizing midway through a cycle. On paper, both units draw from a heavy-duty platform rated at 1400 peak watts, delivering substantial force capable of turning solid ice cubes into snowy slush in seconds. However, their motor management under sustained resistance differs significantly due to internal engineering. Examining a comprehensive ninja bn701 vs bl660 comparison highlights how Ninja upgraded its traditional bases to 1400 watts, but the SS351 takes motor regulation a step further through specialized circuitry.
The SS351 incorporates proprietary ninja ss351 smarttorque technology into its base, pairing a power-dense motor with internal speed sensors that actively fight resistance. When mixing thick contents like nut butters, heavy bread dough, or thick smoothie bowls with almost no added liquid, the motor base maintains blade speed without stalling, sputtering, or requiring the cook to vigorously shake or tamp the vessel. While the listing notes an operating wattage of 1200 watts for the SS351 compared to the flat 1400-watt rating listed for the BN701, the smartTORQUE engineering optimizes low-end torque specifically to prevent mechanical lockups on heavy loads.
In contrast, the BN701 relies on standard high-velocity rotation powered by its 1400-watt direct drive system. This setup excels at fast liquid blending, aerating frozen fruits, and shredding ice cubes using raw speed. However, because it lacks the adaptive torque calibration found on the Foodi model, blending extremely dense pastes or heavy batters can cause resistance against its stacked blades. For daily culinary work involving frozen cocktails and fruit drinks, the BN701 has ample muscle, but the SS351 is fundamentally better engineered for heavy, dense friction loads.
Edge: Ninja SS351 because its smartTORQUE motor design actively maintains rotational speed under heavy resistance without stalling.
Attachments and Container Versatility
Container selection influences how often a blender gets used throughout the day. A dedicated large pitcher works wonderfully when feeding a household, but it becomes cumbersome when prepping a single morning beverage before commuting. In this ninja ss351 vs bn701 matchup, container variety marks the most dramatic physical difference between the packages. The BN701 includes a single vessel: a 72-ounce Total Crushing Pitcher with a marked 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity. If you wish to make a solitary protein shake, you must dirty the entire family-sized pitcher and its multi-tiered blade column.
Looking at the expansive package of ninja ss351 attachments reveals a far more adaptable setup. Alongside its 72-ounce Power Blender & Processor Pitcher, the SS351 includes a 24-ounce Ninja Nutrient Extraction Cup with a spout lid and a 14-ounce Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker equipped with a built-in tamper and storage lid. As explored in our ninja bl660 vs ss351 breakdown, having dedicated single-serve blending vessels eliminates food waste and simplifies cleanup for solitary routines.
The 14-ounce bowl maker in the SS351 package deserves special attention for thick blends. It integrates an internal manual tamper arm built directly into the lid collar. As the motor runs, you twist the top collar to push frozen fruit slices down toward the Hybrid Edge Blades, creating spoon-thick smoothie bowls without adding excess water or stopping the machine to scrape the sides. The BN701 lacks any personal cup options, meaning owners who desire on-the-go portability must pour drinks from the large spout into secondary travel mugs.
Edge: Ninja SS351 because it includes dedicated single-serve cups and a specialized tamper bowl alongside its full-sized pitcher.
Food Processing and Dough Mixing Capabilities
Standard blenders pulverize food into liquids, whereas true food processors use specialized blade geometry to chop ingredients into uniform pieces or knead flour into gluten networks. When determining whether to buy the ninja bn701 or ss351 for food processing, the mechanical configuration of the blades dictates the outcome. The BN701 comes equipped exclusively with a Stacked Blade Assembly featuring sharp edges arranged vertically along a tall plastic shaft. While this arrangement obliterates ice effortlessly, it produces uneven cuts during chopping tasks, often reducing bottom layers to puree while leaving top vegetables whole.
The SS351 is designed from the base up to function as an authentic food processor and dough maker. Its primary pitcher accepts interchangeable tools, including a dedicated Total Crushing & Chopping Blade and an engineered Dough Blade. These separate tools allow the SS351 to execute fine dicing, uniform mincing, and gentle folding. The dough paddle evenly incorporates water and flour to knead up to thick pizza or cookie dough batches without overworking the motor or tearing gluten strands.
Because the BN701 lacks a dull dough paddle and variable low-speed control, attempting to mix thick doughs inside its pitcher can damage the sharp stacked blades and overwork the motor. For meal-prep tasks like salsa chopping, grating cheese, and preparing pastry dough, the BN701 cannot substitute for a standalone food prep machine. The SS351 consolidates those distinct appliances into one unit, saving substantial countertop real estate for home bakers.
Edge: Ninja SS351 because its dedicated chopping and dough blades deliver authentic food processing and baking functionality.
Auto-iQ Presets and Speed Controls
Automated blending cycles remove the guesswork from kitchen prep by running pre-programmed sequences of timed pulses, high-speed blends, and resting pauses. In any thorough ninja bn701 review, the simplicity of its interface stands out as an advantage for quick beverage production. The BN701 provides 3 Auto-iQ intelligent presets alongside manual speed buttons and a dedicated pulse trigger. These presets handle standard beverage tasks, giving users consistent results for general blending and ice pulverization at the press of a single button.
By contrast, an in-depth ninja ss351 review shows an interface tailored to high-precision culinary manipulation. The SS351 boasts 6 distinct Auto-iQ programs: Smoothies, Extractions, Bowls, Spreads, Chopping, and Dough. Each program uses distinct algorithmic timing calibrated for its specific accessory vessel. Furthermore, the SS351 features variable speed control with 11 distinct speed increments. This allows users to start at an ultra-low rotational speed to gently incorporate dry flour or roughly chop onions before dialing the motor up to maximum velocity for silky purees.
Those examining a ninja ss351 vs tb401 analysis will notice that fine speed tuning is essential when moving beyond drinks into culinary sauces, emulsified spreads, and delicate dips. The BN701 offers multiple operational speeds, but its fixed presets are broad rather than specialized. If you prioritize dialed-in control over texture, the SS351 provides a much wider spectrum of operational speeds and specialized algorithmic routines.
Edge: Ninja SS351 because it offers 6 specialized Auto-iQ programs and an 11-setting variable speed control dial.
Cleaning, Maintenance, and Countertop Storage
Every additional attachment included with a kitchen appliance introduces a storage challenge inside kitchen cabinets. The BN701 excels in simplicity and kitchen efficiency. Its package consists of just four primary physical items: the 1400-peak-watt motor base, the 72-ounce pitcher, the single Stacked Blade Assembly, and the locking lid. When blending concludes, every removable component is BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe. Storing the unit requires clearing space for only one vertical footprint, making it ideal for minimalist countertops and compact apartment cupboards.
Managing the SS351 involves handling significantly more loose hardware. Because the system ships with two 24-ounce extraction cups, spout lids, the 14-ounce smoothie bowl maker, the storage lid, the Hybrid Edge Blade assembly, the food processing chopping blade, and the dough blade, you must dedicate a full cabinet shelf or storage drawer to hold the loose accessories. Washing up after a complex recipe may involve cleaning multiple vessels and different blade designs with sharp, distinct contours.
While all removable components of the SS351 are also dishwasher safe on the top rack, handling multiple separate blades poses a greater maintenance chore and requires extra caution when cleaning by hand. For readers comparing alternative appliances like the ninja bn701 vs tb401, the BN701 represents the peak of low-clutter, grab-and-go blender convenience. If you dread rummaging through cabinets for matching lids and specialty blades, the BN701 provides a far more streamlined daily experience.
Edge: Ninja BN701 because its streamlined single-pitcher design minimizes cabinet clutter and drastically simplifies daily storage and cleaning.
Pros and Cons
Ninja BN701
Pros
- 1400-peak-watt motor for fast ice crushing
- Large 72-ounce family pitcher capacity
- Straightforward 3-button Auto-iQ interface
- Minimal cabinet clutter with single-vessel footprint
Cons
- No single-serve to-go cups included
- Lacks dough and food chopping blades
Ninja SS351
Pros
- SmartTORQUE motor prevents heavy-load stalling
- Includes 24-ounce cup and tamper bowl
- Dedicated dough and food chopping blades
- 11 variable speeds and 6 Auto-iQ presets
Cons
- Multiple accessories require substantial storage space
- Lower 1200-watt continuous operating rating
Who Should Buy Each One
Choose the Ninja BN701 If
- You primarily make large batches of smoothies, slushies, or frozen margaritas for the entire family.
- You want a powerful 1400-peak-watt ice crusher without paying for accessories you will never use.
- You prefer a clean kitchen cabinet with just one pitcher, one lid, and one blade assembly to wash and store.
- You already own a dedicated food processor and stand mixer for meal prep and baking chores.
Choose the Ninja SS351 If
- You want to prepare single-serve nutrient extractions to drink on the go without washing a full 72-ounce pitcher.
- You love making thick, spoonable smoothie bowls and nut butters using a built-in manual tamper.
- You need an all-in-one appliance capable of kneading bread dough, mixing cookie dough, and chopping vegetables.
- You demand precise control over your blending texture via 11 variable speeds and 6 specialized Auto-iQ programs.
Final Verdict
When weighing performance, versatility, and culinary scope, the Ninja SS351 emerges as the superior overall system for modern kitchens. By pairing a 1400-peak-watt smartTORQUE motor with variable speed controls, three distinct vessel types, and dedicated dough and chopping blades, it replaces multiple bulky appliances. Whether you are blending a quick single-serve morning drink in the extraction cup, whipping up ultra-dense smoothie bowls, dicing vegetables, or kneading weekly pizza dough, the SS351 handles dense textures without stalling or requiring manual intervention.
Nevertheless, the Ninja BN701 remains the ideal selection for cooks whose blending routines begin and end with large-batch drinks. If your kitchen workflow does not require food processing blades or personal to-go cups, the BN701 gives you the exact same 1400 peak watts of ice-crushing performance inside a family-sized 72-ounce pitcher with significantly less clutter. Deciding whether the SS351 is worth the investment comes down to your personal routine: buy the BN701 for straightforward drink pitcher duty, or choose the SS351 to secure a versatile, all-in-one food processing and blending workstation.
FAQ
Can the Ninja BN701 knead bread or cookie dough?
No, the Ninja BN701 does not include a dough blade and is not intended for kneading dough. Its Stacked Blade Assembly features razor-sharp edges designed to slice, crush ice, and puree liquids. Attempting to mix heavy flour doughs in the BN701 pitcher can damage the blades, overtax the motor, and result in a poorly mixed batter.
What is the benefit of the built-in tamper on the Ninja SS351 smoothie bowl maker?
The 14-ounce Smoothie Bowl Maker on the Ninja SS351 features an integrated tamper built directly into the lid collar. When processing thick recipes with minimal liquid-such as acai bowls or nut spreads-ingredients frequently stick to the sides of the container. Twisting the top collar while blending pushes ingredients down into the Hybrid Edge Blades, preventing air pockets and eliminating the need to stop the cycle to scrape down the sides.
Are the pitchers on the Ninja BN701 and Ninja SS351 interchangeable?
No, the pitchers and blade assemblies between these two models are not interchangeable. While both pitchers feature a 72-ounce total volume and a 64-ounce maximum liquid capacity, their locking base collars and blade drive pins use different mechanical interfaces to accommodate their respective motor hubs and attachment types.
Which model is better for making single-serve smoothies on the go?
The Ninja SS351 is far superior for single-serve smoothies because it includes a 24-ounce Nutrient Extraction Cup and a travel spout lid. You blend directly inside the personal cup, unscrew the blade base, secure the spout lid, and head out the door. Making a personal smoothie in the BN701 requires blending inside the large 72-ounce pitcher and pouring it into your own travel cup, which creates more cleanup.
Can both blenders crush ice cubes without adding liquid?
Yes, both models feature Ninja’s Total Crushing technology and powerful 1400-peak-watt motor bases designed to turn solid ice cubes into snow in seconds without liquid. The BN701 utilizes its vertical Stacked Blade Assembly to shred ice from top to bottom, while the SS351 uses its Total Crushing & Chopping Blade inside the main pitcher to achieve the same snowy consistency.
How do the Auto-iQ programs differ between the BN701 and SS351?
The Ninja BN701 features 3 Auto-iQ programs calibrated for general pitcher tasks like smoothies, ice crushing, and basic blending. The Ninja SS351 expands this automation to 6 Auto-iQ programs tailored to its varied attachments, featuring specific timing algorithms for Smoothies, Extractions, Bowls, Spreads, Chopping, and Dough.
Ultimately, your choice comes down to whether your kitchen routine prioritizes straightforward large-batch blending or all-in-one culinary flexibility. If multi-functional prep work and kneading capabilities match your cooking style, exploring the Food Processor Hub can help you evaluate alternative multi-use appliances alongside dedicated systems. Balancing your daily recipe needs against attachment storage will ensure you select the machine best suited for your counter.
