Table Of Content
“Degrain” refers to the process of removing grain or noise from digital images or videos to improve their clarity and quality. It is commonly used in video editing and photography to reduce unwanted speckles or graininess caused by low light, high ISO, or compression. Effective degraining balances noise reduction with preserving image details to maintain natural-looking results.
In this guide, we test and compare four of the best grain remover tools, sharing their strengths, limitations, and step-by-step processes to help you easily reduce grain in video.
Grainy videos not only hamper the viewing experience of an individual but can also affect small or large-scale businesses and brands.
Let's examine the statistics to see how video quality affects a creator's or brand's ability to gain viewership and trust.
These statistics speak volumes about how videos influence consumers to take an action that can make or break a brand. That's why it's essential to post high-quality, noise-free, and de-grained video for impactful results. Let's introduce the best ways to learn how the grain remover from video tools actually works.
To help you enjoy smoother, clearer videos, we tested four reliable grain remover tools across key parameters. This concise comparison highlights each software’s ease of use, performance, and best use cases, ensuring options for all skill levels and technical needs. Let’s take a closer look at how these top grain removers stack up.
| Key Features and Highlights | UniFab Denoise AI | Adobe Premiere Pro | Final Cut Pro | Filmora Video Denoise |
| Ideal For | Beginners, casual users, and fast fixes | Professionals, experienced editors | Mac users, intermediate editors | YouTubers, content creators, and casual editors |
| Supported OS | Windows and macOS | Windows and macOS | Mac OS only | Windows and macOS |
| Ease of Use | Very easy (fully automatic) | Advanced, manual configuration | Moderate | User-friendly |
| Noise Reduction Type | AI-powered, auto analysis & enhancement | Manual (Median effect + masking) | Built-in noise reduction tools | AI-powered with 3 preset levels |
| Control and Customization | Limited control but flexible output options over final video quality | Complete control and plugin support | Reasonable control (4 levels + sharpness) | Moderate (Weak, Normal, Strong) |
| Output Quality | Excellent clarity for quick fixes | Studio-grade (with heavy effort) | Balanced, natural-looking | Good, but it can soften the detail |
| Performance Impact | Low system usage, fast results | High (resource-intensive) | Medium to high on large files | Low to medium |
| Special Features | AI automation, batch processing, and user-friendly UI | Precision masking, plugin support | Built-in sharpness control | Direct sharing to social platforms |
Next, we'll introduce each of the top grain remover tools along with step-by-step guides to help you effectively reduce grain in your videos.
UniFab Denoise AI tops our well-compiled list of the finest grain removers due to its ease of use and intuitive interface. It can remove grain from video regardless of the reason it initially occurred. Its deep-learning algorithms not only degrain video but also enhance clarity and support resolution upscaling up to 4K, all while retaining natural textures and vibrant colors. Undoubtedly, this grain remover AI is the ideal solution for both new and professional users.
Best For: Beginners and pros seeking an easy-to-use tool that combines effective grain removal with high-quality upscaling up to 4K.
Attractions
30-day Free Trial for full feature, without watermark!
First, install the UniFab program. Then, go to the All Features menu in the left pane and selected the Denoiser module from Video AI. Next, click the Add menu to upload our grainy video clip to reduce noise.
Then proceed to customize and edit the video resolution, codec, quality, format, and other parameters.
Finally, click Start to remove the digital grains and noise from your video.
The experience of using UniFab was quite impressive. Its user-friendly interface was a breeze to use, and the noise reduction process took only a few seconds. We customized the purpose according to our preferences; however, UniFab also offers the option to retain the default video settings. Additionally, the end result was not only grain-free but also produced a polished, sharp, and clear video with balanced highlights. We loved its 30-day free trial policy, which offers full feature access, allowing us to achieve seamless results without spending a penny.
Next on our list is Adobe Premiere Pro. While most users know it for trimming and editing videos, adding effects, and animating titles, Adobe Premiere Pro can be a go-to solution for advanced users seeking post-production editing.Its powerful built-in effects, with a proper noise reduction setting, can eliminate background noise from video as well as audio seamlessly.
Best For: Fine-tuned control over noise reduction
Attractions
Offers native methods to reduce video grain without external plugins.
Provides free effects like Median and VR denoise.
Supports a comprehensive feature set for pro-level editing.
Provides advanced color correction tools to enhance overall video quality.
Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for a unified creative workflow.
Challenges
Complex functionality and steep learning curve for new users.
Professionals may find the method limiting.
Requires strong hardware resources.
Step 1: First, we opened Premiere Pro and imported our noisy footage in File > Import. However, shortcut keys (Ctrl+I on Windows and Cmd+I on Mac) are also available for video uploads. We then selected the files for editing and dragged them to the timeline.
Step 2: Next, we went to the Effects menu at the top and searched for Median. Then, drag the Median effect to the grainy video footage on the timeline. So, the Median was now available in the Effects Control panel with the other applied effects for noise reduction.
Step 3: Again, we went to the Effects Control panel > Median and clicked the arrow on the left to see the settings. This was essential to adjust the Radius settings, set at 0.
We increased the values to 2 and increased them gradually for clearer images, avoiding unwanted blurriness.
Note: Median blurs the images to reduce noise and grain. Increasing the Radius also blurs the photos excessively. While this may remove any video noise, it also negatively impacts the image details by blurring them out.
Step 4: We then proceeded to add masks. In the Effects Control panel, we clicked the most appropriate mask shape to create a mask in the image. We also explored the pen tool to free-draw the mask and add extra points. We targeted all the grains in the video by drawing as many masks as possible.
Note: Masks work wonders for still images than for moving clips. It remains constant, while the location of the noise may change.Then, we adjusted the settings below each after having all the masks in the image. We also decreased the feather settings to make the mask edges less sharp, allowing the Median effect to blend in smoothly.
Once our mask was ready, we increased the Radius without affecting the rest of the image.
Adobe Premiere Pro demands advanced skills for effective noise reduction. While its 'Median' effect can reduce grain, balancing noise removal without blurring details was challenging. Using masks helped but results were underwhelming, especially for motion-heavy videos. Beginners may find it difficult, and even professionals could find this method limiting.
Exclusively for our Mac users, we have tested the timeline-based video editor, Final Cut Pro. Its built-in noise reduction tool works great for moderate video grain issues. The Denoiser feature of Final Cut Pro also eliminates and reduces any noise below a threshold volume level. In addition to offering unrivaled professional performance, this AI grain remover features excellent AI-powered tools for editing and enhancing video effects.
Best For: Quick fixes on well-lit clips with mild denoising capabilities
Attractions
Supports native noise reduction features with no reliance on third-party plugins.
Intuitive interface and integrates seamlessly with FCP workflow.
Highly optimized for macOS, allowing real-time playback with minimal lag.
Offers fine-tune parameters for flexibility over the customized output.
Advanced algorithms to preserve details in 10-bit or ProRes footage.
Challenges
Works only on minor noise issues and not for severe grain and noisy footage.
Built-in tools are not as powerful as third-party options.
No motion tracking or tools to mask specific areas.
Step 1: First, we downloaded and installed Final Cut Pro on our Mac from the Mac App Store. After the successful launch of the program, we could see Import Media with a downward arrow on the main screen. We clicked on the startup panel to proceed.
Alternatively, there's one more way to select the grainy video clip: by going to File > Import > Media.
Step 2: After carefully selecting the video, we dragged and dropped it onto the timeline and selected it again. Upon clicking the Effects button in the upper right corner of the timeline panel, we found the Noise Reduction button.
Step 3: We tapped the effect twice to apply it. However, the feature also supports the drag-and-drop functionality to apply directly to the video on the timeline.
Now, we tapped the timeline video and clicked the Effects menu to expand it. We then tapped the Amount dropdown list under Noise Reduction in the right-hand Video Inspector workspace. We were offered 4 noise reduction options: Low, Medium, High, and Maximum. We opted for Maximum for the strongest level of noise removal to achieve better results and visual clarity.
Step 4: Next, we expand the Sharpness dropdown list to select a higher level of sharpness. The options include None, Very Low, Low, Medium, High, Very High, and Maximum. We chose High for natural-looking video quality.
Then, we hit the Export tab to save the video to our Mac's local storage.
Final Cut Pro offers a fast, intuitive noise reduction process. The clean interface makes applying effects simple, resulting in noticeably smoother, polished videos. The 'Sharpness' control helps restore natural detail, though heavy noise reduction can soften textures slightly. It requires a powerful Mac for smooth performance. Overall, it’s great for mild grain and quick fixes.
Lastly, on our list, we have the Grain Remover by Filmora. Its high rating across all user review sites has earned it a spot in our compilation of the top AI grain removers.It reduces unwanted noise and adjusts lighting and contrast simultaneously, delivering sharper, cleaner, and more vibrant footage.
Best For: Simple denoise solution with a beginner-friendly interface
Attractions
User-friendly and intuitive interface for quick learning.
Drag and drop functionality for importing video clips.
Built-in effects and filters to enhance creativity.
Real-time preview to see the changes during editing.
Strong resources and community support.
Challenges
Requires a subscription for complete access.
Potential for overprocessing and artifacts.
Step 1: First, we downloaded the Wondershare Filmora software on our Windows 11. However, it works equally well on Windows 7, 8, and 10, as well as macOS v10.15 and later.
After the successful installation, we ran the software and registered with a new account. Then, we clicked New Project on the main screen to begin.
Step 2: Next, we clicked the File menu at the top. From the dropdown menu, we chose "Import Media" and select "Import Media Files" (Ctrl + I). Then, we selected our grainy video for denoising.
After careful selection, we dragged and dropped the 3-minute grainy video onto the timeline and clicked to select it.
Step 3: Thereafter, in the right-hand Properties panel, navigate to the Video menu at the top and click AI Tools in the secondary menu bar. Then, we toggled on the Video Denoise feature.
We then found three customizable algorithms, i.e., Weak, Normal, and Strong, for grain reduction. As our video had too many grains, we selected Strong for greater visual clarity.
Step 4: Once we were satisfied with our video, we clicked "Export" in the top menu at the right-hand corner to save our newly enhanced and grain-free video on our PC.
We then set some customizable output parameters such as the location, format, video quality, resolution, and frame rate. Then, hit Export at the bottom-right corner. Filmora also provided us with options to share videos directly on TikTok, YouTube, or Vimeo.
We found Wondershare Filmora’s denoise feature straightforward and effective. The process was quick, and navigating the options was intuitive. The video quality improved noticeably, with clearer images. Exporting and sharing were simple and convenient. However, the strong denoise setting sometimes softened fine textures, especially on faces and fabrics. Advanced users might find the controls less flexible compared to professional tools. Overall, Filmora offers a smooth experience and is well suited for beginners seeking fast video editing solution.
Selecting a grain remover tool can be time-consuming, especially when you are not clear about the actual purpose beyond noise reduction. Here's how we made a dramatic difference by stepping into your shoes and selecting the software that can actually take your game to the next level.
In the end, we can conclude that grain remover tools are essential for reducing noise and grain, thereby enhancing the overall video quality. We have already tested the best grain remover AI tools for a speedy workflow and impressive outcomes. By choosing the right software, you can quickly get professional-level, natural-looking videos in no time. We personally like the AI algorithms, user-friendliness, and powerful noise reduction capabilities of UniFab Denoise AI, which actually helped us achieve a noise-free and high-quality video in a matter of seconds.
Degrain means removing grain or noise from a video to make it look cleaner and smoother. Grain usually comes from low-light conditions, high ISO settings, or compression. Degraining helps restore clarity and enhance video quality without losing important details.
Understanding the accurate reason for the occurrence of video noise and grain can help you avoid them in the future. Some of the reasons include:
To tone down the noise in a video, the best practice is to avoid it in the first place. To remove grain from video is time-consuming and costly, so it's essential to be attentive throughout the filming process to save time in the long run. Here are some additional tips to follow: