AVIF vs WebP vs HEIC vs JPEG XL: which image format should you use in 2026?

AVIF offers the best compression for web photography at ~50% smaller than JPEG, while JPEG XL excels at high-quality and lossless workflows with significantly faster encoding. Browser support for WebP and AVIF is universal in 2026, and Chrome is expected to add JPEG XL support in H2 2026 after reversing its 2022 removal decision. The recommended strategy is an AVIF → WebP → JPEG fallback chain, with HEIC limited to Apple-only ecosystems due to patent issues.