If you’re in the market for a high-capacity, space-saving air fryer, Ninja’s DoubleStack series offers some of the most innovative designs in the category. Both the Ninja SL201 and the Ninja SL401 feature stacked dual baskets, independent cooking zones, and versatile cooking functions but they differ in size, capacity, and ideal use cases.
This in-depth comparison breaks down each model’s features, pros, cons, and differences so you can make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison Table – Ninja SL201 vs SL401 DoubleStack Air Fryer
| Feature | Ninja SL201 | Ninja SL401 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | 8 Quarts (Two 4-qt baskets) | 10 Quarts (Two 5-qt baskets) |
| Ideal Serving Size | Up to 6 people | Up to 8 people |
| Dimensions (W) | 17.79" | 19.22" |
| Cooking Functions | 6-in-1 | 6-in-1 |
| Smart Finish / Match Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Stacked Meal Racks | Yes | Yes |
| Space-Saving Design | Yes, 40% slimmer than traditional | Yes, 40% slimmer than traditional |
| Best For | Medium-sized families | Large families or entertaining |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Ninja SL201 Air Fryer Overview
The Ninja SL201 is designed for households that want to maximize cooking efficiency without sacrificing counter space. With its 8-quart total capacity (two 4-quart baskets) and stacked design, it’s 40% slimmer than traditional side-by-side dual-basket air fryers, making it easier to store under kitchen cabinets.
One of the SL201’s standout features is its DoubleStack Air Frying Technology, allowing you to cook up to four different foods simultaneously. Each basket comes with a removable stacked meal rack, enabling two cooking levels per basket. Whether you’re air frying chicken wings, roasting vegetables, or baking desserts, the hot air circulates evenly for a consistent, crispy finish.
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space and still fits under standard cabinets. Plus, it’s 40% slimmer than your traditional 2-basket air fryers.
- DOUBLESTACK AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY: Only Ninja’s stacked design has 2 independently controlled baskets so you can cook 4 foods at once.
The Smart Finish feature ensures two foods with different cooking times and temperatures finish together, while the Match Cook function duplicates settings across both baskets for maximum capacity cooking. With 6 cooking functions i.e, Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate it’s built for versatility.
For families of up to six, the SL201’s 8-quart capacity can handle about 4 pounds of chicken wings in one go. Plus, its easy-to-clean baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates make cleanup hassle-free. It’s ideal for those who want performance, versatility, and space savings in one appliance.
Pros:
- Compact, space-saving design
- Can cook up to 4 foods simultaneously
- Ideal for medium-sized households
- Smart Finish & Match Cook simplify meal timing
- Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup
Cons:
- Smaller total capacity than SL401
- May not be enough for large gatherings
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space and still fits under standard cabinets. Plus, it’s 40% slimmer than your traditional 2-basket air fryers.
- DOUBLESTACK AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY: Only Ninja’s stacked design has 2 independently controlled baskets so you can cook 4 foods at once.
Ninja SL401 Air Fryer Overview
The Ninja SL401 takes everything great about the SL201 and scales it up for bigger households or frequent entertainers. With an extra-large 10-quart capacity (roughly 9.45 liters), this model can cook two whole 5-pound chickens at once, making it perfect for feeding up to eight people.
Like the SL201, it features DoubleStack Air Frying Technology with independent dual baskets and stacked meal racks for up to four foods cooked simultaneously. This makes meal prep more efficient, whether you’re cooking mains and sides at the same time or preparing multiple dishes for a party.
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space and still fits under standard cabinets. Plus, it’s 40% slimmer than your traditional 2-basket air fryers.
- DOUBLESTACK AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY: Only Ninja’s stacked design has 2 independently controlled baskets so you can cook 4 foods at once.
The Smart Finish and Match Cook functions work identically here, streamlining multi-zone cooking. Despite its larger size, the SL401 still maintains the slim stacked design that takes up less counter space compared to side-by-side dual-basket models.
Its 6-in-1 functionality includes Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate modes, offering the same cooking versatility as the SL201. Cleanup remains straightforward with dishwasher-safe components, while the XL capacity makes it the better choice for larger gatherings or batch cooking.
Pros:
- Extra-large 10-quart capacity for big meals
- Can fit two whole 5-lb chickens at once
- Same compact stacked design despite bigger size
- Perfect for batch cooking or entertaining
- Smart Finish & Match Cook features included
Cons:
- Slightly wider footprint than SL201
- Larger size may be overkill for smaller households
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Ninja’s stacked design lets you cook double the food in nearly half the space and still fits under standard cabinets. Plus, it’s 40% slimmer than your traditional 2-basket air fryers.
- DOUBLESTACK AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY: Only Ninja’s stacked design has 2 independently controlled baskets so you can cook 4 foods at once.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Get the SL201 if you have a smaller household (up to 6 people), limited counter space, and don’t need to cook huge batches. It’s more compact but still versatile and efficient.
- Get the SL401 if you regularly cook for large groups, meal prep in big batches, or host gatherings. The extra capacity makes a noticeable difference for big meals.
Conclusion: Ninja SL201 Vs SL401 DoubleStack Air Fryer
Both the Ninja SL201 and SL401 share the same innovative stacked dual-basket design, cooking functions, and convenience features. The main difference comes down to capacity 8 quarts vs 10 quarts, which directly affects how much food you can make in one go.
If you want a space-saving, high-performance air fryer for everyday family use, the SL201 delivers everything you need. But if you’re cooking for bigger crowds or prefer to prepare large quantities at once, the SL401 is worth the extra counter space.
Either way, Ninja’s DoubleStack technology ensures you’ll get crispy, evenly cooked meals with less fat and faster cook times, making both options excellent additions to your kitchen.
