Google is returning to the standalone smart speaker market after nearly ten years away, with a Gemini-powered device launching June 25 at 99 dollars and 99 cents. The Gemini Home Speaker features 360-degree audio and runs Google’s Gemini AI natively, meaning voice queries go directly to Gemini rather than the older Google Assistant routing that powered the company’s earlier speaker products.

Google’s last significant standalone speaker, the Google Home Max, was discontinued in 2020. Since then, the company has focused its home audio presence on Nest displays and third-party devices while Amazon’s Echo and Apple’s HomePod have dominated the smart speaker segment. The return to first-party hardware signals that Google sees a window in the market that a Gemini-native device can fill.

The 99-dollar price point lands directly against the Amazon Echo standard model and the Apple HomePod Mini. Google’s competitive argument rests primarily on Gemini’s AI capabilities — the model’s ability to handle complex multi-step requests, hold conversational context across a session, and produce more useful responses than earlier voice assistants have managed in similar form factors.

The 360-degree audio design performs best when the speaker sits in the centre of a room rather than against a wall. Google has not released specific acoustic specifications. The device is mains-powered, supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and integrates with the broader Google Home ecosystem.

Google confirmed the June 25 launch covers the United States and United Kingdom first, with additional markets following in subsequent weeks. Pre-orders are expected to go live before the launch date at the Google Store and through major electronics retailers.

The timing puts Google’s announcement one day before Amazon Prime Day begins on June 23, which means its launch week will compete for media attention with Amazon’s own annual deal event.

The Gemini Home Speaker is available for pre-order at the Google Store. More on Google’s Gemini AI products and announcements in 2026 is in our tech section. Our smart home hardware comparison covers the Echo, HomePod, and the competitive landscape. See also our coverage of Google’s full product roadmap for the second half of 2026.