Photographers working in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects often rely on high ISO settings to achieve proper exposure. However, higher ISO values introduce noise, which appears as graininess or color speckles in images. Noise reduction software plays a crucial role in balancing clarity and detail retention while minimizing these unwanted artifacts.

To determine the best noise reduction tool, we tested five industry-leading software programs using RAW files shot at ISO levels ranging from 6,400 to 25,600. The goal was to assess their ability to eliminate noise while maintaining image integrity, texture, and color fidelity.


1. Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) / Lightroom

Pros:

✔ AI-powered Denoise feature offers high-quality noise removal
✔ Well-integrated into the Adobe ecosystem
✔ Preserves details while reducing noise effectively

Cons:

✘ Limited to RAW files
✘ Processing can be slow on older hardware

Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and Lightroom share the same AI-driven noise reduction engine, designed to intelligently smooth out noise without sacrificing fine details. This tool is particularly effective on portraits and natural textures, ensuring skin tones remain realistic.

In our testing, ACR delivered exceptional results at ISO 6,400, significantly reducing noise while maintaining edge sharpness and color accuracy. However, at ISO 25,600, slight noise artifacts were still present, particularly in shadow regions. While the software provides strong results, it may require additional sharpening for extreme high-ISO shots.

2. Topaz Photo AI

Pros:

✔ Fully automated noise reduction and sharpening
✔ AI-powered facial recovery enhances portraits
✔ Works with both RAW and JPEG files

Cons:

✘ Can sometimes over-soften details
✘ Occasional loss of texture in non-portrait subjects

Topaz Photo AI is designed for minimal manual input, relying on its AI to analyze and apply the best noise reduction settings automatically. It stands out with its “Recover Faces” feature, which reconstructs fine details in portraits—especially useful for noisy, high-ISO shots.

While Topaz AI produced excellent results on portraits, preserving skin tones and reducing grain, its performance on non-human subjects was less consistent. Fine textures in landscapes and detailed areas, such as fabric and foliage, appeared slightly softened in some cases. This makes it ideal for photographers focusing on portraits but less suited for those requiring precision in textures.

3. DxO PureRAW

Pros:

✔ DeepPRIME AI excels in noise reduction while retaining detail
✔ Works as a pre-processing tool before final editing
✔ Delivers clean and sharp images at high ISO

Cons:

✘ Limited in manual adjustments
✘ Only processes RAW files

DxO PureRAW is unique in that it operates as a pre-editing tool, applying noise reduction before sending files to other software for further adjustments. Its DeepPRIME AI technology removes noise exceptionally well while preserving intricate details, making it one of the best options for high ISO noise reduction.

In our tests, DxO PureRAW produced some of the cleanest images, particularly at ISO 25,600. Unlike other tools that introduce slight blurring, PureRAW maintained excellent texture and depth, making it ideal for photographers who prioritize noise-free, high-detail images before starting their post-processing workflow.

4. Capture One

Pros:

✔ Manual control over luminance and color noise
✔ Effective for skin tone preservation
✔ Strong integration with professional workflows

Cons:

✘ Noise reduction not as powerful as competitors
✘ Requires manual adjustments for best results

Capture One is well-regarded for its color grading and professional-grade editing tools, but its noise reduction capabilities lag slightly behind AI-powered competitors. While it offers fine control over luminance and chroma noise, achieving optimal results requires careful manual tweaking.

Our testing revealed that Capture One struggled with extreme high-ISO settings. While noise was reduced, some fine details were lost, and the software required more effort to match the automatic quality of ACR or DxO PureRAW. It remains a solid option for professionals who need customization but is not the best choice for fully automated noise removal.

5. Luminar Neo

Pros:

✔ AI-driven noise reduction for quick edits
✔ Simple and user-friendly interface
✔ Integrated with other AI-based enhancement tools

Cons:

✘ Less effective at extreme high ISO levels
✘ Lacks the precision of dedicated noise reduction software

Luminar Neo’s AI-based noise removal is designed for efficiency, providing a quick and simple solution for reducing grain in high-ISO images. While it performed well at moderate ISO settings (6,400–12,800), it struggled with extreme noise at ISO 25,600, where fine details started to blur.

This makes Luminar Neo a good option for casual photographers who want an all-in-one editing suite with basic noise reduction but not the best choice for professionals working with extremely noisy files.

Which Noise Reduction Software is Best?

For photographers who prioritize detail retention and high ISO performance, DxO PureRAW stands out as the best choice, offering industry-leading noise reduction with minimal loss of texture. Adobe Camera Raw is a close second, providing an effective balance between automation and fine control.

Topaz Photo AI excels in portraits, thanks to its face-enhancing technology, while Capture One is better suited for professionals who prefer manual adjustments. Luminar Neo, while easy to use, is best for moderate ISO settings rather than extreme noise reduction needs.

Regardless of the software you choose, the advancements in AI-powered noise reduction mean photographers can confidently shoot in low light without worrying about image degradation. The right tool will depend on your workflow, editing style, and the level of detail preservation you require.