aBoth LetsEnhance and Lightroom’s Super Resolution are AI-powered upscalers, but they shine in different scenarios and produce different results. We put them head-to-head across three challenging tests: a heavily pixelated product shot, an AI art, and an old low-res portrait. 

Continue reading and see how we compared their results, speed, and ease of use.

Key takeaways

LetsEnhance pros

• Upscales and improves low-resolution compressed photos up to 16x linear resolution. Fidelity is preserved even at high scales.
• Very intuitive with minimal clicks needed. You just need to choose the appropriate model and wait for the outcome.
• Automatic, as AI instantly applies optimal settings without manual intervention.
• Seven specialized AI models designed for different image types. Prime for natural, high-fidelity upscaling; Gentle and Balanced for a subtle resolution boost with minimal processing; Strong and Ultra for maximum detail reconstruction; Old Photo for damaged, faded, or archival images; and Digital Art for AI-generated images and illustration.
• Batch processing to edit 20 images at once.
• Cheaper monthly subscription of $9 monthly for a starter package with pay as you go bundles also available.

LetsEnhance cons:

• Less control for advanced editors compared to Lightroom.
• The free plan is limited to 10 credits only.

Lightroom pros:

• Enhances image resolution by doubling the linear size (4x pixels), improving detail and sharpness.
• Built-in guides help users understand and use its features effectively.
• Includes AI-powered masking, presets, noise reduction, sharpening, and object removal for advanced image work.
• Ideal for projects requiring detailed corrections beyond resolution enhancement.
• 7-day free trial with access to the full version of Adobe apps.

Lightroom cons:

• Manual and time-consuming, as it requires adjusting each parameter separately.
• Upscaling limit (2x linear) is much lower compared to LetsEnhance’s 16x, making it less suitable for extreme enlargements.
• Weaker fidelity as it enhances colors but struggles to fully restore fine details.
• No specialized models for different content types. It’s on the user to make appropriate edits for better outcomes. 
• Not designed to enhance small and/or compressed pictures.
• Enhancing multiple images requires repeating the process manually for each.
• Best suited for users already familiar with photo editing concepts.
• $11.99/monthly fee, which is more expensive compared to LetsEnhance.

Let’s see them in action

We tested both LetsEnhance and Lightroom’s Super Resolution on three very different images: low-quality product photo, an AI art and an old photo restoration. These examples will show you exactly where each tool shines and where it falls short.

Test 1: product photo with text

There is no denying that image quality affects e-commerce sales. Shoppers make decisions in just seconds, and if your image is blurry, pixelated, or unclear, they move on without even thinking.

For our first test, we chose a very low-quality, pixelated image of a perfume from Brand Collections. The photo showed the bottle and its packaging side by side, with unreadable text and entirely lost details all over. Let’s together explore which tool could not just make the image bigger, but actually recover the missing details.

Lightroom’s Super Resolution didn’t improve the underlying clarity. The text on the packaging is still blurry and unreadable and the edges of the bottle still lack clarity. Product photo enhancement definitely reveals Lightroom’s limitations, showing that its “super resolution” is primarily a scaling tool, rather than a detail-recovery tool. Needless to say that for eCommerce use, this image would be unusable.

LetsEnhance’s recent Ultra model was a different story. Using 4x upscale, Strength 100%, and Similarity 0%, the transformation speaks for itself. The text on both the packaging and bottle became so much clearer, the edges were defined, and the overall look felt like a studio shot. The product now looks polished enough for an online listing or even a print catalog.

Test 2: enhancing AI-generated nature scene

We’ve all generated content with AI at least once in our lives and ended up with smudged details, blurred lines, and “melted” textures when zoomed in. To enhance the quality of the AI-generated nature scene, we tried Lightroom’s Super Resolution, applying every relevant enhancement: super resolution, sharpening, noise reduction, color adjustments, and whatnot.

From the first look, it did provide a small improvement. Colors looked slightly more vibrant, and there was a little sharpening of edges. However, the upgrade was subtle since zooming in revealed that much of the feather detail was still blended together, and background compression artifacts were still faintly visible.

LetsEnhance, on the other hand, completely transformed the image. Upscaling the original by 16x to a stunning 12288×8208 pixels, it delivered detail and clarity far beyond Lightroom’s result. Feather’s structure became visible, the texture on the beak and claws popped, and the color depth improved without artificial oversaturation.

Even extreme close-ups looked photo-realistic and the details stayed crisp. Let’s have a look together.

Comparing Lightroom and LetsEnhance for AI-generated art, we see that the gap in enhancement power is more than visible. When it comes to dramatically increasing resolution while preserving or even enhancing fine textures, LetsEnhance consistently shows better results.

Test 3: restoring an old portrait

Old images are some of the trickiest to work with. They often suffer from grain, blur, discoloration, and missing details, especially in facial features. Lightroom’s Super Resolution seemed to improve the overall sharpness and clarity of the portrait. But just a zoom in shows how noticeably pixelated the details are. The enhancement felt more like a basic sharpening pass than a true restoration.

LetsEnhance, on the other hand, used its Old Photo model to restore and colorize facial details and the clothing while preserving a very natural look. Even when zoomed in, the face remained sharp and unpixelated. The resolution jump from 201×251 px to 804×1004 px is immediately noticeable. 

Here's the side-by-side comparison showing the same image restored with Lightroom vs LetsEnhance.

Final verdict

Across all three tests, LetsEnhance consistently performed well, recovering lost details, turning blur into defined textures and improving general image quality. Its Ultra and specialized models adapted to each image type, delivering the best results in just seconds.

Lightroom’s Super Resolution, while useful within Adobe’s editing suite, offered only incremental sharpness. It’s better suited for mild quality boosts, especially when the original image is already decent quality.

Overall, for challenging images where clarity is critical, LetsEnhance delivers a noticeably sharper and more detailed result.

FAQ

How do I choose between LetsEnhance and Adobe Enhancer?

If you want quick and automated results with real AI upscaling and enhancement, start with LetsEnhance. Adobe Enhancer doesn’t offer AI-driven upscaling and only provides mild adjustment options. Overall, before choosing any tool, consider your type of project, need for automatic features, ease of use, as well as pricing and capabilities.

Does LetsEnhance work for professional print quality?

Absolutely. It can upscale images to very high resolutions (up to 500MP) while preserving clarity, making it suitable for large-format prints and detailed product shots.

What enhancement models does LetsEnhance offer?

LetsEnhance has specialized AI models designed for different image types:

• Prime: Portraits, fashion and food shots and any image that needs natural, high-fidelity upscaling.
• Gentle: Smooth text-heavy images like product labels, maps, or posters.
• Balanced: Best for low-quality nature, architecture, or product photos (non-portrait).
• Strong: Fixes blur and improves faces, especially for small portraits.
• Ultra: Offers next-generation creative transformation with superior quality and detail enhancement.
• Digital Art: Perfect for illustrations, anime, and cartoons.
• Old Photo: Restores and colorizes vintage or damaged photographs.

What’s special about LetsEnhance’s new Ultra model?

The Ultra model is a next-generation AI upscaler focused on maximum detail and clarity. It works across different image types, producing more lifelike textures and finer details. Credit usage depends on the final output size, from 1 credit for small images to 10 credits for ultra-high-resolution outputs.

What are the benefits of upscaling images?

If you’re running an eCommerce store, selling print-on-demand art, shooting professional portraits, or creating digital artwork, you should know that your visuals can make or break your work. In fact, 90% of buyers consider product visuals the most important factor when making a purchase decision online.