Hey there! If you’ve ever wanted to upgrade old or low-resolution videos to make them look sharper, smoother, and more professional, AI video upscaler tools are your best friend. In short, they use artificial intelligence to increase resolution, restore details, reduce noise, and enhance colors—all automatically. And the best part? You don’t have to be a video editing expert.
In this article, I’ll dive into comparing the top AI video upscaler tools—highlighting features, pros and cons, output quality, processing speed, user experience, and pricing. If you’re also interested in exploring other AI-powered video editing solutions, check out this comprehensive guide on AI Video Editing Tools and AI Video Enhancement Tools.
🔹 What is an AI Video Upscaler?
Before jumping into the comparison, let’s quickly understand what an AI video upscaler actually is.
Simply put, these are tools that use AI to:
- Upscale video resolution: For example, from 480p → 1080p, 4K, or even 8K.
- Reduce noise (denoise): Remove grainy or pixelated artifacts from old videos.
- Restore details: Sharpen blurry areas and recover lost textures.
- Enhance colors: Make old or black-and-white footage vibrant.
- Fix shakiness & interlacing: Smooth out jittery frames.
Basically, with AI, you can “breathe new life” into any old footage and make it look crisp and professional.
🎬 Check out this quick demo video to see AI video enhancement in action:
🔹 Key Factors to Consider When Comparing AI Video Upscalers
Before picking a tool, I usually look at these factors:
- Upscaling quality – Does the video remain sharp and smooth after upscaling?
- Detail restoration – Are fine textures preserved or lost?
- Noise reduction – Does the tool handle grainy pixels effectively?
- Color enhancement – Does it improve colors or colorize black-and-white videos?
- Speed & batch processing – How fast is it? Can it handle multiple files at once?
- User experience – Is the interface beginner-friendly or complex?
- Price & licensing – Is it worth the investment? Are there affordable options?
Now, let’s compare the top tools based on these criteria.
🔹 Top AI Video Upscaler Tools
1. Topaz Video AI
Overview:
Topaz Video AI is considered the “gold standard” for video upscaling. If you want top-notch output quality, this is the tool to beat.
Key Features:
- Upscale video up to 16K
- Noise reduction & detail restoration
- Motion stabilization
- Batch processing for multiple videos
Pros:
- Extremely high-quality results, almost professional-grade
- Handles low-res or shaky footage exceptionally well
- Excellent color and detail preservation
Cons:
- Expensive (~$299 lifetime license)
- Requires a powerful computer for 4K+ processing
- Slight learning curve for beginners
My take: If you’re producing films, professional content, or working on long-term projects, Topaz is definitely worth every penny.
2. HitPaw Video Enhancer
Overview:
HitPaw is super beginner-friendly. Its interface is intuitive, making it quick and easy for short video enhancements.
Key Features:
- Upscale video resolution
- Reduce noise & sharpen video
- Colorize black-and-white footage
- Preset modes for easy use
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use
- Quick results for short clips
- Affordable, with free or $5.83/month options
Cons:
- Some advanced features require a paid license
- Quality is good but not as professional as Topaz
- Limited batch processing
My take: If you’re new or just experimenting with AI video enhancement, HitPaw is a light, friendly, and hassle-free option.
3. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
Overview:
AVCLabs offers a balance between performance and quality. It’s great for intermediate users or hobbyists who want a bit more control.
Key Features:
- Upscale to 4K or 8K
- Noise reduction & detail recovery
- Supports multiple video formats
- Efficient batch processing
Pros:
- Stable and fast
- Flexible format support
- Handles both single and multiple videos effectively
Cons:
- Interface can feel technical for beginners
- Output quality is strong but not as high-end as Topaz
My take: For users comfortable with a slightly more technical tool, AVCLabs is a very practical option at a moderate price.
4. DVDFab Enlarger AI
Overview:
DVDFab focuses on speed and simplicity. It upscales videos by about 300% while keeping them sharp.
Key Features:
- AI-based upscaling
- Color enhancement & noise reduction
- Fast processing
- DVD/Blu-ray compatibility
Pros:
- Quick and easy to use
- Affordable ($59/year)
- Good balance between speed and quality
Cons:
- Limited format support
- Not ideal for ultra-professional projects
- Fewer advanced customization options
My take: Perfect for YouTube creators or social media videos where speed and decent quality are key.
5. AVCLabs Online / AI Video Resolution Enhancer
Overview:
A web-based solution, no installation required, ideal for quick tests or short clips.
Key Features:
- Upload and enhance videos online
- Upscale, denoise, and enhance color
- Fast for short clips
Pros:
- No software installation needed
- Free or freemium model
- Convenient and accessible
Cons:
- Internet-dependent; quality can vary
- Not suitable for large or batch processing
- Limited advanced options
My take: Great if you just want to quickly experiment with AI upscaling without installing anything.
🔹 Quick Feature Comparison Table
| Tool | Max Resolution | Noise Reduction | Detail Restoration | Color Enhancement | Batch Support | Ease of Use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topaz Video AI | 16K | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Medium | $299 lifetime |
| HitPaw Video Enhancer | 4K | Good | Good | Good | Limited | Very Easy | Free/$5.83 per month |
| AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI | 8K | Good | Good | Good | Yes | Medium | From $39.95 lifetime |
| DVDFab Enlarger AI | 4K | Good | Medium | Good | Limited | Easy | $59/year |
| AVCLabs Online | 4K | Medium | Medium | Medium | No | Very Easy | Free/Freemium |
🔹 Friendly Takeaways
- Topaz Video AI: Highest quality, professional-grade.
- HitPaw Video Enhancer: Quick, easy, beginner-friendly.
- AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI: Balanced features and price.
- DVDFab Enlarger AI: Fast, affordable, ideal for YouTube/social media.
- AVCLabs Online: Convenient, perfect for quick experiments.
Depending on your budget and goals, you can pick the tool that suits your workflow. Personally, I like to test a few short clips first, compare results, and then pick my “go-to” tool for long-term projects.
With AI video upscalers, even old, low-resolution footage can look crisp, vibrant, and professional. Just a little experimentation, and you’ll notice the difference immediately!
Anna is a content creator and digital marketer with 3+ years of experience testing AI tools for video creation. I’ve personally used Pictory to repurpose blog posts into YouTube Shorts and LinkedIn clips — saving hours compared to manual editing.
