Novel, computationally efficient schemes for deterministic wavelet thresholding with the objective of optimizing maximum-error metrics are provided. An optimal low polynomial-time algorithm for one-dimensional wavelet thresholding based on a new dynamic-programming (DP) formulation is provided that can be employed to minimize the maximum relative or absolute error in the data reconstruction. Directly extending a one-dimensional DP algorithm to multi-dimensional wavelets results in a super-exponential increase in time complexity with the data dimensionality. Thus, novel, polynomial-time approximation schemes (with tunable approximation guarantees for the target maximum-error metric) for deterministic wavelet thresholding in multiple dimensions are also provided.