Comparing AI upscalers in Photoshop

Step-by-step

1. Import unedited upscaled images as separate layers in Photoshop
2. Toggle layer visibility on and off to compare the original low-res image against the upscaled versions
3. Zoom in on specific details like clothing texture and hair to evaluate reconstruction quality
4. Compare free or low-cost results against a high-end benchmark like Topaz Labs Photo AI

Options

• Use iLoveIMG for a simple 2x or 4x resize without extra settings
• Use Upscale.media for larger resize amounts
• Use Upscayl (desktop app) to choose from multiple AI models and custom sizes

Watch out for

• Upscale.media may produce lower quality results for portraits compared to other tools
• Upscayl (desktop app) requires a local software download rather than being web-based
• Free upscalers like Upscayl may result in overly smoothed textures or unrealistic hair

Tips

• Use iLoveIMG if you want a 'bare-bone' option without extra fluff that still rebuilds fine details well
• Experiment with different models in Upscayl to see which works best for your specific photo
• Consider Topaz Labs Photo AI as the high-end standard for professional photography sharpening and rebuilding
• Check the shirt and hair details specifically to see how well the AI is rebuilding versus just smoothing

Highlights

“they're just as layers, so I can turn them on and off and compare everything pretty easily here”