AI image compression tools love to promise magic: smaller file size, zero quality loss. Reality? Not so clean.
I took a 6144×4096 PNG (20.3MB) generated via Sora, ran it through Upscayl, resized to 1600×1067, and tested 8 different tools claiming to use AI compression.
ai, image-optimization, devtools, blogging, webperf
Tested Tools (besides Squoosh):
- ✅ ShortPixel
- ❌ TinyPNG
- ❌ Nero AI
- ❌ Optidash
- ❌ Pixelcut
- ❌ ImageAI (img.ly)
- ❌ Krikey AI
- ❌ Imagify
TLDR Verdict:
- ✅ ShortPixel (after resize) came closest to Squoosh in preserving clarity and reducing file size.
- ❌ TinyPNG blurred faces and gradients.
- ❌ Nero AI, Optidash destroyed soft tones.
- ❌ Others weren’t even real compressors.
Real Compression Wins:
- 1. Squoosh – gold standard
- 2. ShortPixel – resized, reliable
I included real visual comparisons using a UI-heavy, facial-gradient test image — not stock thumbnails. This wasn't marketing. It was a teardown.
➡️ Full benchmark with side-by-side visuals:
🔗 https://engineeredai.net/ai-image-compression-tools-benchmark/
Written by the Chaos Optimizer behind Engineered AI — no fluff, no hype, just brutal benchmarks and tools that actually work.
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Top comments (1)
Great benchmark! One tool that might be worth adding to a future test is compressto200kb.com — it takes a different approach: instead of just minimizing file size, it lets you compress to a specific target size (200KB, 100KB, 50KB, etc.).
It's not AI-based, but it's surprisingly effective for use cases where you have strict upload limits (government forms, job portals, CMS platforms). Runs entirely in the browser — no server upload, no file size cap. Curious how it would compare in your benchmark!