Best AI Image Models for Google AI Mode

Nano Banana 2.1 is Google's updated high-efficiency model for AI image generation, image editing, and conversational visual creation. It succeeds Nano Banana 2 as Google's recommended high-efficiency image model while retaining Flash-level speed and cost efficiency. The model improves visual quality, text rendering, and consistency during multi-turn editing, making it suitable for workflows where users repeatedly modify an image through natural-language instructions. Nano Banana 2.1 generates images at 1K, 2K, and 4K resolutions and supports conventional portrait and landscape formats as well as extreme aspect ratios such as 1:8 and 8:1. Its text-rendering capabilities are designed for visuals containing legible and stylized writing, including infographics, diagrams, menus, and marketing assets. Multi-reference workflows support character resemblance for up to four characters and high-fidelity inclusion of as many as 10 referenced objects. Google Search grounding enables the model to verify information and create imagery based on current web information, while Google Image Search grounding can retrieve images from the web as additional visual context. Nano Banana 2.1 can also analyze video input and use its frames, visual themes, and events as context for generating new images such as thumbnails, posters, infographics, and related artwork. Developers can access the model through the Gemini API as gemini-nano-banana-2.1, and images generated by the model include Google's SynthID watermark.