Image model vs image model
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 vs MiniMax H3 Image
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over MiniMax H3 Image’s about 65% of the time in blind votes. MiniMax H3 Image costs 1.3× less ($0.034 against ≈$0.027 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
At a glance
Longer bar means the bigger number. Elo bars start at 800.
Blind votes · how often people would pick each picture
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 MiniMax H3 Image
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Text to image · arena Elo, higher is better
Editing · arena Elo, higher is better
Where they sit among all 61 image models
Up and to the left is better pictures for less money. Hover or tap a dot for its numbers, then click it to compare that model with Gemini Nano Banana 2.1. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over MiniMax H3 Image’s about 65% of the time
Pick MiniMax H3 Image if
- price matters: 100 images cost $2.68, against $3.36 with Gemini Nano Banana 2.1
- you want open weights you can run yourself
The specs
| Spec | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | MiniMax H3 Image |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.034 | ≈$0.027 (estimated, high quality) |
| 100 images | $3.36 | $2.68 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 1176 ±12 (#6 in the arena) | 1066 ±15 (#23 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 1152 ±12 (#8 in the arena) | 1138 ±16 (#12 in the arena) |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | 4K | — |
| Open weights | No | Yes |
| Zero data retention | No | No |
| Lab | minimax | |
| Official name | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | MiniMax H3 Image |
| Released | October 2026 | November 2026 |
Elo ± is the 95% margin. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway.
Questions
Which is better, Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 or MiniMax H3 Image?
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over MiniMax H3 Image’s about 65% of the time in blind votes. MiniMax H3 Image costs 1.3× less ($0.034 against ≈$0.027 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
Which is cheaper, Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 or MiniMax H3 Image?
MiniMax H3 Image: ≈$0.027 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.034 for Gemini Nano Banana 2.1. 100 images cost $2.68 and $3.36. MiniMax H3 Image is billed per token, so its price is an estimate at high quality.
Can Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 and MiniMax H3 Image edit images?
Yes, both can change a picture you upload. In the Artificial Analysis editing arena Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 has an Elo of 1152 and MiniMax H3 Image 1138.
How can I compare Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 and MiniMax H3 Image myself?
Open the comparison, type one prompt and both models draw it side by side, each with what it cost and how long it took. You sign up with Google before your first run, and new accounts start with free credit.
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Where the numbers come from
Quality scores are Elo ratings from the Artificial Analysis image arenas, where people vote between two pictures made from the same prompt without knowing which model made which. The vote split comes from the Elo gap. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway; models billed per token are estimated at the quality the arena scored. The sample pictures are our own runs. Updated November 13, 2026.