Best AI Image Upscalers for 2026
In this article, we're going to dive deep and share our exclusive rankings for the best AI Image Upscaler tools for 2026.
Just a few short years ago, this list would have been half the size, but today, the sheer number of quality tools available to creatives is truly staggering.
We ran the top contenders through a rigorous handful of tests, comparing the output head-to-head to determine once and for all: Which AI Image Upscaler is truly the best?
Let’s cut right to the chase. Below is our definitive ranking of the best AI Image Enhancement Tools for 2026, based on our real-world testing.
AI Image Enhancement Tool Rankings
Magnific
Nano Banana Pro
Crystal
GigaPixel
Photoshop (Firefly Upscaler)
Krea
Below, we’ll give you a detailed breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of each AI Image Upscaler, show you some head-to-head examples, and explain exactly why each tool earned its specific spot in our ranking.
Enjoy!
Download the Assets and the Results!
It’s hard to see the full results through embedded images. Fill out the form below to see some of the tests we ran for your self and really get an understanding for each of the tools’ pros and cons.
Best AI Image Upscalers for 2026 | Video Comparison
Below is a video we recorded, showing our tests to figure out the Best AI Image Upscalers for 2026.
Best AI Image Upscalers for 2026
Here is a breakdown of each AI Image Upscaler and its strengths and weaknesses.
AI Image Upscaler #1: Magnific AI
Magnific has been a top contender in this space for a while now, and though they have diversified their offerings, their main goal is still laser-focused on helping you effortlessly upscale your AI images.
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Magnific AI
This tool consistently delivers exceptional overall quality.
Magnific's Strengths:
Easy to use
Exceptional Overall Quality
Consistent with the Original Image
Often uses AI to tweak visual fidelity issues
Magnific's Weaknesses:
Expensive (Full stop.)
Skin Texture (Even with its newest dedicated tool, this is a pain point.)
The single, non-negotiable roadblock preventing this premium AI Image Upscaler from achieving mass adoption is, without a doubt, the price tag.
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Magnific AI
Magnific Skin Enhancer
When you're already juggling a half-dozen Creative Cloud or other high-end software subscriptions, throwing another expense on top of the pile becomes a budgeting nightmare.
AI Image Upscaler #2: Nano Banana Pro
When we were researching for this test, we came across a handful of people utilizing Nano Banana Pro to upscale their images, and we were absolutely blown away by the output. There is one key caveat: This is not strictly an AI Image upscaler; it’s first and foremost an AI image editor.
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Nano Banana Pro
However, if the specs meet your project requirements, it is definitely worth utilizing for professional upresing.
Nano Banana Pro's Strengths:
Fixes Visual Fidelity Issues Well
Has a solid overall upscaling quality
Helps fix fidelity issues in AI images
Nano Banana Pro's Weaknesses:
Not a true dedicated image upscaler (Keep this in mind before you buy.)
Limited to 4K resolution
Still sort of expensive
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Nano Banana Pro
Magnific AI
This is the pivotal point for the budget-conscious creative: If your primary objective is to absolutely avoid the dreaded subscription fatigue and you refuse to layer on another monthly expense, Nano Banana Pro might be your answer.
AI Image Upscaler #3: Crystal
We first took a look at the Crystal Image Upscaler when it was featured in an episode of AI Film News. We were incredibly impressed with the output, especially when we compared it to the other reigning industry tools.
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Crystal AI
Crystal's Strengths:
Exceptional with Text (A huge plus for graphic design)
Stays true to the original image
Helps fix fidelity issues in AI images
Crystal's Weaknesses:
The user experience (UX) isn’t great
Can Only Upscale 1 Image at a time
The user experience is not the best; it can be a little clunky and slow your pace down slightly. However, you need to weigh this minor friction against the massive benefits.
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Crystal AI
Giga Pixel
The sheer combination of exceptional quality (especially with rendering text and maintaining image fidelity) paired with its surprising affordability, makes this tool one of the most compelling contenders in our rankings. T
he value proposition here is simply too impressive to ignore. Crystal is absolutely worth your serious consideration if you're balancing professional-grade output with a restrictive budget.
AI Image Upscaler #4: GigaPixel
If you have been in the AI image space for long, you know we are huge fans of Topaz Labs and Gigapixel. We were actually quite surprised that the model performed slightly lower than we expected.
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Giga Pixel
As some of these newer AI models and tools have rapidly come out, it seems like Gigapixel has genuinely struggled to keep up with the pace of innovation.
GigaPixel's Strengths:
One-time fee instead of a constant subscription (A major financial win)
Stays true to the original image (though this is sometimes a fault)
Gigapixel's Weaknesses:
Struggles with texture fidelity
Seems to be more focused on stretching pixels as opposed to truly upscaling the image (A key differentiator from the top three)
Doesn’t seem to help fix visual fidelity issues in AI images
We are, of course, absolutely massive fans of Topaz Labs; it’s been a cornerstone of the workflows since the beginning. However, the hard truth is this: the more the other AI Image Upscalers rapidly evolve and improve, the more GigaPixel seems to fall further behind in the image-specific rankings.
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Giga Pixel
Krea
The real, undeniable value in the Topaz Labs suite now lies in its AI Video Upscaler. That is the tool that is still leading the industry and should be the primary reason you invest in the Topaz ecosystem.
But let’s talk about the single best part of using Gigapixel for images: the one-time cost.
If you are basing your primary tool selection purely on the budget and you simply cannot justify a monthly recurring subscription, we would absolutely and unequivocally recommend considering this tool.
It is one of the only professional-grade AI Image Upscalers that offers this payment structure, and frankly, it is an incredible offer that deserves your attention.
AI Image Scaler #5: Photoshop (Firefly Upscaler)
This one genuinely surprised us. We haven’t always been super pleased with Adobe’s AI tools (let’s be honest), but the Firefly Upscaler inside Photoshop did significantly better than we initially expected.
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Firefly Upscaler
It’s not super high on the list, but the rating was higher than we gave it credit for, and the fact that you can also run Topaz Labs inside of Photoshop is a massive help for your workflow.
Photoshop (Firefly Upscaler) Strengths:
The option to seamlessly use Topaz Labs within the application
Included in the Adobe Suite (if you already have a subscription)
Original image preservation is excellent
Photoshop (Firefly Upscaler) Weaknesses:
Struggles with textures
Expensive if you don’t already have an Adobe Suite subscription
Slow render times (A big knock against it for professional use)
If you are already locked into an Adobe Photoshop subscription, then the Firefly Upscaler isn't just an option; it's likely the most logical and economically sound route for your image upscaling needs.
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Firefly Upscaler
Nano Banana Pro
For the vast majority of professional creatives who already live and breathe inside of Photoshop every single day, this simple fact of immediate inclusion is a game-changer. It makes adopting and utilizing the Firefly Upscaler incredibly easy because it requires absolutely no adjustment to your core creative process.
AI Image Upscaler #6: Krea
Krea has been around for a bit now, but in terms of the dedicated AI image upscaler, the quality has never seemed to be up to par with the other 'best of the best' tools in the industry.
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Krea Upscale
Krea’s Strengths:
Cost (Very accessible)
Speed (Incredibly fast)
Krea’s Weaknesses:
Texture rendering is often poor
Persistent visual fidelity issues
Krea’s AI Image Upscaler could certainly be utilized as a component of your production workflow, and you could absolutely achieve some amazing final work utilizing it.
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Krea Upscaler
Giga Pixel
However, and this is where we have to be brutally honest with our audience, in our professional opinion, the output simply does not stack up against the other high-ranking contenders on this list.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
AI tools are not static; they are changing every single day. Here at Curious Refuge, our core mission is to empower creatives like you by helping you stay constantly up to date on the latest, most powerful tools and models available.
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We are actively testing, ranking, and breaking down these tools so you never waste your time or money on subpar software. Let us know which tests you’d like to see next!
