Currently best way of image upscaling and restoration as of may 2026
A Reddit user shared their top recommendations for AI-powered image upscaling and restoration tools as of mid-2026. For fast upscaling, Real-ESRGAN and WaifuGAN are suggested, while SeedVR2 is recommended for state-of-the-art upscaling of images with decent initial quality. For image restoration, Flux Klien 9B is highlighted as the best local model, though it has some limitations with face consistency and texture. The user also suggests combining PiD by Nvidia with Flux for high-quality results. AI
IMPACT Provides users with specific AI tools for image enhancement, focusing on practical applications.