Walmart’s budget smart speaker is coming, and it could reshape the affordable AI assistant market. A leaked listing on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website reveals Walmart is preparing the Onn Smart Speaker, a Gemini-powered device that would mark the first time Google’s advanced AI assistant appears in budget third-party hardware. For years, affordable smart speakers have relied on older voice technology—this changes that.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart’s Onn Smart Speaker will feature Google’s Gemini AI, a first for budget third-party devices.
- Estimated retail price around $25, positioning it as the cheapest Gemini-powered speaker option.
- Device includes 10W audio output, far-field microphone array, and Matter compatibility for smart home control.
- Google is shifting its entire Home ecosystem from Assistant to Gemini across first-party and third-party hardware.
- No official launch date or pricing confirmed yet; product spotted only on CSA certification listing.
What the Walmart Budget Smart Speaker Actually Offers
The Onn Smart Speaker isn’t a flagship device—it’s a straightforward, no-frills entry point to Gemini. According to the CSA listing, it’s a Gemini-powered smart home speaker integrating voice assistant, audio playback, and smart home control functionality. The hardware itself is modest: a 10W speaker for audio playback, support for Google Cast for Audio and Bluetooth streaming, a far-field microphone array with a hardware privacy kill switch, and physical volume and play/pause buttons. This is the bare minimum needed for voice control, smart home commands, and music streaming—exactly what budget buyers want.
The device supports Matter, the smart home standard overseen by the CSA, meaning it can talk to compatible smart lights, locks, thermostats, and other devices. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity round out the spec sheet. In leaked images, the design appears simple and understated, with visible controls that suggest no complicated setup. For a device estimated to retail around $25, this is a competent feature set.
How Walmart’s Budget Smart Speaker Compares to Google’s Own Hardware
Google itself is preparing its own Gemini smart speaker, estimated at around $100, which will feature 360-degree audio and surround sound pairing capabilities. That device hasn’t launched yet. Meanwhile, Walmart’s offering would be one-quarter the price, sacrificing premium audio and design sophistication for accessibility. The comparison matters: Walmart is betting that a basic Gemini experience at $25 appeals to more buyers than Google’s premium $100 option. For households that simply want voice control and smart home integration without caring about audio quality, Walmart wins on value.
The last major third-party smart speakers with Google technology were the JBL Authentics 200, 300, and 500 models, which ran the older Google Assistant. That was years ago. The Onn Smart Speaker would revive the third-party smart speaker market in the Gemini era, filling a gap that has existed since Google largely abandoned licensing its voice assistant to hardware makers outside its own ecosystem.
Walmart’s Broader Onn Gemini Ecosystem
The Onn Smart Speaker doesn’t exist in isolation. Walmart has already been quietly rolling out Onn-branded devices with Gemini support: the Onn 4K Streaming Device and Onn 4K Pro, which support Gemini and are available in stores. Walmart is also selling the Onn Indoor Camera Wired and Onn Video Doorbell Wired, both 1080p devices that work with the Google Home app and offer Gemini features via subscription. The smart speaker would complete a budget ecosystem for people who want Gemini integration across streaming, cameras, and voice control without spending premium prices on Google’s own hardware.
This ecosystem strategy matters. A customer buying the $25 smart speaker might already own an Onn 4K streaming stick. Adding a Gemini speaker to that setup creates a cohesive smart home without forcing them into Google’s premium price tier. Walmart is positioning itself as the budget gateway to Google’s AI future.
When Will Walmart’s Budget Smart Speaker Launch?
The CSA listing surfaced in May 2026, but no official launch date, pricing, or availability has been announced. The $25 estimate is speculative and should be treated as informed guesswork rather than confirmed retail price. The device is not yet on Walmart’s website or in stores. Certification listings can signal imminent launches or products still months away—there’s no way to know from the CSA entry alone.
What we do know is timing: Google is actively pushing Gemini across its Home ecosystem, with Gemini for Home already in early access on Google’s own speakers as of 2025. Walmart’s leak aligns with that momentum, suggesting the company wants to capitalize on Google’s shift before competitors do. The smart speaker could arrive later in 2026, but that remains speculation.
Is Walmart’s Budget Smart Speaker Worth Waiting For?
If you want Gemini voice control and smart home integration at the lowest possible price, this device is worth tracking. At an estimated $25, it undercuts every other Gemini-powered option by a massive margin. The hardware is functional, not fancy—no premium audio, no sleek design, just the essentials. For renters, budget-conscious buyers, or anyone testing smart home waters without major investment, that’s compelling.
The catch is that nothing is official yet. Pricing could shift. Features could change. The device might launch in limited markets or face delays. Until Walmart and Google make a formal announcement, treat this as a strong rumor, not a confirmed product.
What makes Walmart’s smart speaker different from Google’s?
Walmart’s device will cost roughly one-quarter of Google’s own Gemini smart speaker, sacrificing premium audio and design for accessibility. Both run Gemini, but Google’s $100 model emphasizes surround sound and 360-degree audio, while Walmart’s $25 option focuses on core voice control and smart home functionality.
Can I use Walmart’s Onn Smart Speaker with non-Walmart smart home devices?
Yes. The Onn Smart Speaker supports Matter, the open smart home standard, so it should work with compatible devices from other brands like Philips Hue, Eve, and others that support Matter. You’re not locked into Walmart’s ecosystem.
Will the Onn Smart Speaker work with my existing Google Home setup?
Since it runs Gemini and supports Google Cast, it should integrate with existing Google Home devices and services. However, without an official launch and full specifications, compatibility details remain unclear. Confirmation will come when Walmart and Google make the product official.
Walmart’s budget smart speaker represents a genuine shift in how AI assistants reach mainstream buyers. For years, advanced voice control meant premium prices. The Onn Smart Speaker, if it launches as rumored, could change that calculation. A $25 entry point to Gemini is disruptive—not because the hardware is impressive, but because it’s finally affordable. Watch for an official announcement later this year.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Android Central
