Google Nano Banana (Gemini API) review

Nano Banana is Google's name for Gemini's native image generation, and through the Gemini API it is one of the cheapest ways to produce images at volume. The current Nano Banana 2.1 model is described as built for efficient generation and conversational editing, with accurate text rendering, character consistency across turns and search-grounded generation. A 1K image works out to about $0.0336, a 2K image $0.0504 and a 4K image $0.113, with batch processing at half the output rate; Nano Banana Pro costs about $0.134 per image up to 2K for higher-end work. You can test prompts in Google AI Studio before writing code, and the API lets you set output format, aspect ratio and size. The catch for marketing teams is the interface: this is a developer product, so most will reach it through AI Studio, an internal tool or a partner app. Every image carries an invisible SynthID watermark, and grounding cannot pull real photos of people.

Who it is for

Teams with developer support that want low per-image costs and accurate text in generated images.

Price

Pay per use: Nano Banana 2.1 is about $0.0336 per 1K image, $0.0504 at 2K and $0.113 at 4K.

Output images at 1K (1024x1024px) consume 1120 tokens and are equivalent to $0.0336 per image.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Conversational image generation and editing with text and image inputs
• Accurate text rendering and multi-turn character consistency
• Search-grounded generation on Nano Banana 2.1
• Nano Banana Pro for higher-end output
• SynthID watermark on every generated image

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Among the lowest per-image prices on this list
• Strength: Batch pricing halves the image output rate
• Strength: Output size and aspect ratio are configurable
• Weakness: API-first, so non-technical teams need AI Studio or another app
• Weakness: Every image carries a SynthID watermark
• Weakness: Search grounding cannot use real-world images of people

Key facts

• Free plan: Not listed for image output
• Nano Banana 2.1: About $0.0336 per 1K image
• Nano Banana Pro: About $0.134 per 1K to 2K image
• Batch: $15 per 1M image output tokens
• Watermark: SynthID on all generated images

Where it ranks

Google Nano Banana (Gemini API) is No. 7 in our Best AI Image Generators verdict.