The best ND grad filters can be a landscape photographer's best friend, making it easier to achieve smooth, even exposures when the light isn't playing ball. Sick of overexposed, washed-out skies, or muddy, underexposed foregrounds? An ND grad filter is the ideal solution – and I've picked out the best ones here.
Essentially, an ND grad is a piece of glass that's clear at one end and grey at the other. It's placed in front of the lens, and then by adjusting it so that the darker section of the filter covers the brighter portion of the scene, it restricts the light by several f-stops, thereby ensuring an even exposure in difficult lighting conditions. While this effect can be replicated using HDR (taking multiple exposures and merging them in post-processing), an ND grad filter gets it right in-camera.
Different ND grads offer different intensities of effect, which you may want to use depending on how sharp the contrast is in the scene you're capturing. You also have other filter options: hard grads and soft grads. Hard grads have a sharp transition between light and dark – useful for straight, well-defined horizon lines – while soft grads transition more gradually, which works better for more cluttered scenes, including cityscapes or mountains. Medium grads, as the name suggests, sit between the two extremes. There's also the reverse ND grad filter, which has a dark section across the middle that fades towards the top, and is the filter of choice for capturing sunrises and sunsets, when the sun is close to the horizon.
Whichever you choose, ensure you get a filter that physically fits your lens. The larger the filter, the more lens diameters it will cover and the more flexibility you'll have in positioning the transition area; larger filters tend to cost more, however. My advice is to avoid very cheap filters, which can affect image quality by introducing color casts or other distortions. All these filters will deliver optical quality with little to no color cast. I've tested them out, and I'm confident you'll be happy with any filter on this list!
Dan is an intrepid photographer who loves shooting the great outdoors but knows that an array of filters is essential for capturing scenes at their best. He's personally tried and tested the majority of the ND grads in this guide.
Best ND grad filters
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Best overall ND grad kit
While Cokin has historically been associated with affordable resin filters, the Z-Pro Nuances Extreme Graduated ND filters line utilizes high-end tempered mineral glass (Schott glass). This toughened glass is four times stronger than previous versions. In testing, the filters proved to be virtually indestructible, surviving drops of 1.5 meters onto concrete and resisting scratches from sharp objects. This makes them a tank-like option for outdoor photographers who work in rugged environments.
Optical performance is outstanding, with the filters maintaining high resolution on 45MP sensors. A nano-metallic alloy coating prevents the color casts often associated with cheaper filters, flare and ghosting are well-controlled, and the filters accurately cut the specified amount of light (available in 2, 3, and 4-stop strengths).
While the filters work in standard 100mm holders, they are optimized for the Cokin NX-series holder. This all-metal system uses a unique ball-joint track and requires filters to be mounted in dedicated metal frames, which provide protection and make handling easier (fewer fingerprints).
In addition to the Z-Pro 100mm-wide filters, Nuances Extreme ND grads also come in P-Series (84mm-wide) and X-Pro (130mm-wide) sizes.
Read our full Cokin Z-Pro Nuances Extreme Graduated ND filters review
Best resin ND grads
Unusually for high-end ND graduated filters, LEE’s grads are made from hand-dyed optical polycarbonate resin rather than the more commonplace optical glass used by many premium competitors. The resin construction makes the 100x150mm filters remarkably light, at under 40g, which is typically less than half the weight of glass alternatives, making them ideal for landscape photographers who prioritize a light kit for hiking.
A key benefit of resin is its durability; unlike glass, these filters are virtually shatterproof and can survive drops on hard surfaces. However, the trade-off is that resin is softer and significantly more prone to scratching, requiring careful handling. The filters deliver exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color neutrality that rivals high-end glass. They are available in various strengths (0.3 to 1.2 ND) and four different transitions – Soft, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard – providing precise control over exposure in high-contrast scenes like bright horizons.
The primary drawback is the price. Despite being resin, they are priced similarly to glass competitors from brands like Marumi or Cokin. However, for photographers who want a proven, color-accurate system that won't shatter in the field, the LEE100 ND Grads remain a top choice.
Read our full LEE Filters LEE100 Neutral Density Grads review
Best magnetic ND grad filters
Marumi Magnetic Graduated ND Filters use an innovative magnetic mount that prioritizes speed and portability. Unlike traditional slot-in systems, these filters utilize the proprietary M100 holder, allowing filters to snap into place via permanent magnetic frames.
The 100x150mm filters are constructed from premium Schott B270i mineral glass encased in a dedicated frame with magnetic side strips. This design eliminates the need for bulky guide rails, making the M100 holder significantly slimmer than competitors. In durability tests, the double-sided coatings proved exceptionally resistant to oil, water, and scratches. While a 1.5-meter drop onto concrete cracked the plastic portion of the filter frame, the glass itself remained unscathed, suggesting the frame effectively absorbs impact.
The filters deliver excellent sharpness and contrast with high color neutrality, showing no signs of chromatic aberration or vignetting, even when used with wide-angle lenses. They are available in Soft, Hard, and Reverse transitions in 2, 3, and 4-stop strengths.
Read our full Marumi Magnetic Graduated ND Filters review
Best double ND grad filters
Kase Wolverine Double Grad Filters offer an ingenious and space-saving innovation for landscape photographers. While traditional graduated neutral density (GND) filters feature a single transition from dark to clear, the Kase Double Grad incorporates two different graduations on opposite ends of a single 100x150mm piece of glass.
The core appeal of this filter is efficiency. By placing a soft grad on one end and a hard grad on the other, Kase allows photographers to switch between transition styles simply by flipping the filter 180 degrees in the holder. This reduces the number of filters needed in a kit bag, saving both weight and money (a Double Grad filter typically costs significantly less than buying two separate Wolverine filters). The filter is made from Kase’s signature Wolverine glass, which is tempered for shock resistance and features metallic coatings that are water-repellent, anti-reflective, and easy to clean.
In field tests, the filter delivered excellent optical quality with no noticeable color cast and no impact on image sharpness. It is compatible with most 100mm holders, including Kase’s own K9 system. However, there is one technical trade-off: because two gradients are squeezed onto one piece of glass, the clear middle section is narrower than on a standard filter. This can lead to the opposite gradient creeping into the frame when shooting in portrait orientation with ultra-wide lenses (around 16mm or wider).
The Kase Wolverine Double Grad is highly recommended for travel and landscape photographers who want to streamline their gear. While it requires more precise positioning than a standard single grad and isn't ideal for extreme wide-angle work, its build quality and two-in-one functionality make it a breakthrough product.
Read our full Kase Wolverine Double Grad review
Best ND grad filters for smaller systems
LEE Filters LEE85 Neutral Density Grads are designed primarily for photographers using smaller-sensored APS-C and Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras. Indeed, the wider LEE85 system aims to provide high-end performance in a more portable, sensor-appropriate form factor. LEE85 filters are smaller (85x115mm) and significantly lighter (26g) than their 100mm counterparts, and are made from hand-dyed optical resin. A neat design feature is the integrated 'pull tab' at the top, which allows photographers to adjust the filter without leaving fingerprints on the optical surface.
In terms of durability, the resin construction is a double-edged sword. During testing, the filters proved to be shatterproof, surviving a 1.5-meter drop onto concrete with only a minor chip. However, the trade-off is scratch resistance; the resin surface is soft and easily damaged by sharp objects, requiring careful handling compared to mineral glass.
Unlike some resin filters, image quality is top-notch, with excellent sharpness, total color neutrality, and no visible casts. The graduation transitions are tighter than those on larger filters, making them far more effective for the smaller frames of crop-sensor cameras. They are available in Soft, Medium, and Hard transitions across 0.3 to 0.9ND strengths.
On the downside, the LEE85 filters aren't significantly cheaper than glass competitors, which may deter budget-conscious users. However, for travel and landscape photographers who use compact mirrorless systems, the LEE85 offers a perfect balance of size, weight, and optical precision.
Read our full Lee Filters LEE85 Neutral Density Grads review
How to choose the best ND grad filter
1. Size & shape
Most ND grad filters in this guide are 100mm wide rectangular ND grads, as they're large enough to suit the vast majority of compositions. Smaller (and cheaper) grads are suitable for cameras with smaller APS-C and MFT sensors, while larger (more expensive) ones are suited to medium format and extreme wide-angle photography. You can also purchase circular screw-in grad filters, but these tend to be pretty restrictive, as the transition area is in the center of the frame.
2. Neutrality
The clue is definitely in the name here. Good neutral density filters should be neutral, introducing no noticeable color casts or unwanted fuzziness to your images.
3. Density
If you're buying your first ND grad filter, you'll want to consider how you're likely to use it and purchase one that's pretty flexible. If you get too low a density, you might find that overly bright skies can still be overexposed. Alternatively, if you get too dark a density, the skies will take on an overbearing, leaden appearance.
4. Material
The majority of filters are made from optical-grade resin or tempered glass. Resin filters are lighter and more shatter-resistant than glass alternatives; the downside is that they are more prone to picking up scratches, so be sure to handle them carefully.
5. Versatility
If you invest in an ND grad filter system complete with a filter holder, you then have the option of adding more filters to your line-up later. This means you could use polarizers, 'solid' ND filters, or color grads to add some extra pizazz to your images.
6. Single filters or kits?
If you already have a filter system, you just need to add single filters – you don't need to buy a whole new kit all over again. But if you're just starting out, a filter kit will give you everything you need at a lower all-in price.
7. Double-check the details
It's the strength and transition you need to check. There are lots of permutations! Don't get a 1-stop soft grad when you meant to get a 3-stop hard grad...
How we test filters
When we test filters, we look at both optical performance and general build quality – how robust the filter feels, how easy it is to use and how securely it attaches to the lens. We use a combination of real-world and lens testing to inform our comments in reviews and buying guides. For filters, we test light transmission levels, colour neutrality (i.e. if the filter introduces a cool or warm cast) and the impact a filter has on image quality.
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