Preload Hints vs Lazy Loading
Developers should use preload hints when optimizing web performance, particularly for critical resources that block rendering or are discovered late in the page load meets developers should use lazy loading when building applications with large datasets, media-heavy content, or complex user interfaces to enhance performance and user experience. Here's our take.
Preload Hints
Developers should use preload hints when optimizing web performance, particularly for critical resources that block rendering or are discovered late in the page load
Preload Hints
Nice PickDevelopers should use preload hints when optimizing web performance, particularly for critical resources that block rendering or are discovered late in the page load
Pros
- +For example, preloading a custom font file prevents layout shifts, while preconnecting to third-party domains reduces connection setup time for APIs or CDNs
- +Related to: web-performance, critical-rendering-path
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Lazy Loading
Developers should use lazy loading when building applications with large datasets, media-heavy content, or complex user interfaces to enhance performance and user experience
Pros
- +It is particularly useful in web development for loading images, videos, or JavaScript modules only when they become visible in the viewport, reducing bandwidth and speeding up page loads
- +Related to: code-splitting, dynamic-imports
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Preload Hints if: You want for example, preloading a custom font file prevents layout shifts, while preconnecting to third-party domains reduces connection setup time for apis or cdns and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Lazy Loading if: You prioritize it is particularly useful in web development for loading images, videos, or javascript modules only when they become visible in the viewport, reducing bandwidth and speeding up page loads over what Preload Hints offers.
Developers should use preload hints when optimizing web performance, particularly for critical resources that block rendering or are discovered late in the page load
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