Next.js 14 & Server Components: What Changed?

Next.js 14 brings React Server Components fully center stage. In this article we examine what that shift means, how to adopt it, and common pitfalls.

What Are Server Components?

Server Components are React components that render entirely on the server. The amount of JavaScript shipped to the client drops dramatically, translating to faster initial loads and better Core Web Vitals.

Performance Gains

Moving data-heavy components to Server Components shrinks bundle size significantly and improves page load time.

When to Use Client Components?

Components that use useState, useEffect, or event handlers still need to be Client Components. Rule of thumb: make anything that doesn't need interactivity a Server Component.