# Introduction to ESRGAN Models

#### ★ = 1 | ☆ = 0.5

## Catalog

- realesrgan-x4plus
- realesrgan-x4plus-anime
- RealESR-AnimeVideoV3 🎞️
- RealESR-General(-WDN)-x4v3
- Universal-Fast-W2xEX
- Anime-HQ-W4xEX
- Photo-Conservative-x4
- RealESRGANv2-animevideo 🎞️
- Photo-HQ-W4xEX
- Omni-Mini-W2xEX 🎞️
- Photo-Small-W2xEX

## realesrgan-x4plus

[Speed: ☆ Quality: ★★★★] [3D Realistic]

One of the official models of the ESRGAN engine, suitable for upscaling phtoto-realistic images.

This model has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model, resulting in slow processing. It is generally recommended only for upscaling static images. Photo-HQ-W4xEX is more recommended.

## realesrgan-x4plus-anime

[Speed: ☆ Quality: ★★★★] [2D Anime]

One of the official models of the ESRGAN engine, suitable for upscaling anime images.

This model has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model, resulting in slow processing. It is generally recommended only for upscaling static images.

Compared to Anime-HQ-W4xEX, it is inferior in detail preservation. If the original image does not have severe compression artifacts, it is recommended to use Anime-HQ-W4xEX to better preserve details.

## RealESR-AnimeVideoV3

[Speed: ★★★ Quality: ★★★] [2D Anime] 🎞️Designed for Videos🎞️

An official ESRGAN engine model designed for upscaling anime videos. It natively supports multiple upscale factors, has relatively fast processing, and produces good results.

Not recommended for images, only recommended for videos or animated images.

## RealESR-General(-WDN)-x4v3

[Speed: ★☆ Quality: ★★★☆] [2D Anime]&[3D Realistic]

An official ESRGAN engine model, a general-purpose model that can be used for any style of image.

This model has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model.

However, this model uses a newer architecture, making it still faster than the -x4plus model while maintaining good results.

The -WDN version performs better when processing highly compressed images, and it is more recommended to use the WDN version.

## Universal-Fast-W2xEX

[Speed: ★★★ Quality: ★★★] [3D Realistic]

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive general-purpose model that can be used for any style of image.

However, it leans more towards a realistic style, so it is recommended to use other anime models when processing anime images.

This model has a native upscale factor of 2x, has relatively fast processing.

Only recommended for mixed-style images. For fast processing of photos, it is recommended to use Photo-Small-W2xEX

## Anime-HQ-W4xEX

[Speed: ☆ Quality: ★★★★★] [2D Anime]

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive anime model, suitable for anime image upscaling, which can better preserve details.

It has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model, resulting in slow processing.

Therefore, it is only recommended for upscaling static images.

Although this model can reconstruct details well, it may encounter problems when processing highly compressed images. If you encounter problems, please switch to other models.

## Photo-Conservative-x4

[Speed: ☆ Quality: ★★★] [3D Realistic] Old model, no longer recommended

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive model, suitable for upscaling phtoto-realistic images.

This model has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model, resulting in slow processing.

It is generally recommended only for upscaling photos. Photo-HQ-W4xEX is more recommended.

## RealESRGANv2-animevideo

Old model, no longer recommended 🎞️ Designed for video 🎞️

xsx4: [Speed:★☆ Quality:★★] [2D Anime]

xsx2: [Speed:★★★ Quality:★ ] [2D Anime]

An official ESRGAN model designed to upscale anime videos, supporting upscale ratio of 4x and 2x. It has a relatively fast speed with good quality.

The x4 version provides better quality than the x2 version but runs slower and requires images to be upscaled by at least 4x.

Not recommended for use with static images; it is more suitable for videos or animated images.

This is an old model and is no longer recommended. We recommend using RealESR-AnimeVideoV3.

## Photo-HQ-W4xEX

[Speed: ☆ Quality: ★★★★★] [3D Realistic]

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive model, suitable for upscaling phtoto-realistic images.

Compared to the official x4plus model, it performs better in denoising and detail reconstruction.

This model has a native upscale factor of 4x, meaning all images need to be upscaled by at least 4x when using this model, resulting in slow processing.

It is generally recommended only for upscaling photos.

## Omni-Mini-W2xEX

[Speed: 12x★ Quality: ★] [2D Anime]&[3D Realistic] 🎞️Designed for Videos🎞️

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive model, specifically designed for fast video upscaling.

This model has a native upscale factor of 2x, has extremely fast processing.

It can be used as an alternative to the RTX Super-resolution engine.

Compared to the RTX Super-resolution engine, it is compatible with non-RTX graphics cards, including AMD and Intel graphics cards.

## Photo-Small-W2xEX

[Speed: ★★★ Quality: ★★★☆] [3D Realistic]

A Waifu2x-Extension-GUI exclusive model, suitable for upscaling phtoto-realistic images.

The model has a native upscale factor of 2x, has relatively fast processing.

Specifically designed for photo upscaling, compared to Universal-Fast-W2xEX, it has improvements in photo detail reconstruction, clarity enhancement, and compression artifact removal.