I tested every AI Image Upscaler... Here's the Best!
Upscaling low-resolution AI imagery to billboard size is a common bottleneck for filmmakers seeking professional print or projection quality, making a rigorous tool comparison essential.
What this lesson covers
The creator tests and compares six different AI image upscalers to determine which tool delivers the highest quality and fidelity. The video explores how various upscalers handle challenging elements like human skin, text, and vintage photographs.
Key takeaways from the creator
AI-extracted notes, not independently verified product claims. Timestamp links let you check each point in the original video.
- 0:53 ↗
The video focuses on six primary AI image upscalers: Krea, Adobe Photoshop, Gigapixel, Crystal, Nanobanana Pro, and Magnific.
- 1:35 ↗
Krea's image enhancer allows users to drag and drop images, apply settings, and describe the image being upscaled.
- 3:17 ↗
Adobe Firefly inside Photoshop offers built-in image upscaling capabilities with options like 4x resolution scaling.
- 5:04 ↗
Topaz Gigapixel features dedicated models like high-fidelity and standard, alongside controls to adjust sharpening, de-noising, and compression fixing.
Workflow outlined in the video
- Select a low-resolution AI-generated image that requires upresing.
- Test the image inside Krea's enhancer tool using default parameters and color matching.
- Run the same asset through Adobe Photoshop using the Firefly image upscaler model.
- Process the asset in Topaz Gigapixel, turning down sharpening and de-noise sliders to stay true to the reference.
- Compare the resulting skin textures, text clarity, and background artifacting across the different upscaler tools.
Before you use this workflow
These notes describe the source video at its publication date. Model access, pricing, connectors and interfaces may have changed. Check the original source and the provider’s current documentation before installing an add-on, connecting an account or spending credits.
ReelStack has not independently tested this workflow. Preview one representative shot and check motion, continuity and output quality before applying it to a full production. No result, cost saving or model capability is guaranteed.
Explore the tools
How to interpret the numbers
79,275 views captured 23 October 2026. ReelStack recommendation score: 51/100. Formula: radar-v5. This is ReelStack’s calculation, not a YouTube rating or a measure of factual accuracy.
Show the calculation
- 45% performance: 2.53× views vs 8 other channel videos observed at a similar age. View-evidence factor 99% (views / (views + 1,000))
- 25% freshness: 0/100 with a 14-day half-life
- 20% momentum: 126 views/day vs 35 channel baseline (7 comparable uploads), with the same view-evidence factor
- 10% engagement: 34/100; likes + 4× comments, smoothed with a 500-view neutral prior