Published on Apr 25, 2025 5 min read

Top 3 AI Video Upscaling Tools You Should Try in 2025

Video upscaling has quietly evolved into a highly useful AI tool in the realm of content creation. What once required professional studios can now be accomplished on a standard laptop using advanced software that sharpens and restores low-quality footage. Whether it's old family videos or pixelated clips you want to enhance for YouTube, AI video upscalers are revolutionizing the process.

Let's cut through the hype—most reviews recycle specs and miss the true essence. This guide focuses on what truly matters in 2025: how these tools perform, where they excel, and why these three stand above the rest. There is no fluff—just real results.

Topaz Video AI

Topaz Video AI continues to lead the market in 2025, and for good reason. It's a desktop-based application that offers significant processing power, ideal for those seeking control and quality without being confined to a studio. What sets Topaz apart is its blend of machine learning models trained on a diverse range of footage—low-light videos, jittery smartphone captures, and even vintage VHS clips. This diversity in training gives the software an edge in interpreting grainy or damaged visuals.

More than just delivering a higher-resolution file, the AI rebuilds frames to fill in missing data, reduce motion blur, and add sharpness without overdoing it. It doesn’t simply enlarge pixels—it enhances the core of the video itself. You can upscale 480p clips to 1080p or 4K and still achieve a surprisingly natural look. The smart frame interpolation features are especially useful for smoothing out choppy footage or increasing frame rates for a more modern feel.

However, all this power comes at a cost. Topaz Video AI is resource-intensive. If your machine lacks a decent GPU, expect longer processing times. While it offers customization, there's a learning curve to optimizing settings. Nonetheless, for creators seeking near-studio-level results without outsourcing, this is as good as it gets in 2025. It’s not magic, but it’s close.

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI stands out in 2025 as a strong, user-friendly option for video enhancement. It's less intimidating than some of its high-powered competitors and leans into a simple workflow. With a "plug and go" approach, users can quickly upload videos, choose what they want to improve—resolution, blur reduction, or frame smoothness—and let the AI take over. For creators who want reliable results without delving into complex settings, this tool delivers.

One of AVCLabs' standout features is its ability to restore facial details. Whether you’re working with old interviews, family footage, or talking-head videos, it preserves natural texture without making people look artificial. The facial enhancement model sharpens key areas like the eyes and jawline, providing clarity where it matters most. Unlike many tools that overcorrect, AVCLabs keeps things grounded and realistic.

Batch processing is another highlight. For creators managing a large archive—perhaps multiple episodes of a web series or a full course library—the ability to process several files at once is a significant time-saver. The software’s interface is minimal and straightforward, making it approachable for beginners while still offering consistent results. It does require a capable GPU, and more advanced users may find the presets somewhat limiting.

In a space crowded with AI video upscaling tools, AVCLabs hits a sweet spot. It balances automation and output quality, making it a dependable choice for creators who value simplicity, accuracy, and time efficiency without losing the human touch in their content.

HitPaw Video Enhancer

HitPaw Video Enhancer rounds out this list as the surprise sleeper hit of 2025. Initially perceived as a basic tool, HitPaw has evolved with updates that have transformed it into a formidable AI-powered platform for casual and mid-level video editors. Whether you're working on social media content, marketing reels, or personal video restoration projects, HitPaw is straightforward, fast, and effective.

Its AI engine focuses less on complex user input and more on efficient automation. There are dedicated enhancement models based on content type—such as anime, general footage, and portrait videos. This makes it particularly useful for creators working across different video genres. The tool is fast, doesn’t hog resources as aggressively as its competitors, and offers cloud-based processing for those who prefer to offload the heavy lifting.

One of HitPaw’s subtle advantages is its edge noise reduction. Many upscalers sharpen edges too aggressively, creating halos or digital artifacts. HitPaw handles this well, improving definition without compromising the tone of the original footage. While it’s not as high-end as Topaz or as facially focused as AVCLabs, it strikes a middle ground that’s perfect for those who want better-looking videos without navigating complex software.

The 2025 update introduced a smart color calibration tool that revives faded visuals, particularly in older footage. It restores vibrancy without over-brightening or distorting skin tones. This subtle but effective enhancement makes a significant difference for casual editors and content creators. With a clean interface, dependable output, and a reasonable price tag, it stands out as one of the most accessible AI video upscalers available this year.

Conclusion

In 2025, AI video upscalers have become essential tools for anyone working with video content. Whether you're restoring old clips, enhancing videos for professional use, or simply aiming for the best possible quality from average footage, the right tool can make all the difference. Topaz Video AI offers power and depth, AVCLabs combines simplicity with detail restoration, and HitPaw provides fast, reliable results for everyday use. These aren't just tools—they're creative allies that help you transform rough footage into something clear, polished, and usable. With better accessibility than ever, upgrading your video quality is no longer a luxury—it’s a smart, achievable step forward.