How Do Eager, Lazy & Automatic Loading Affect Laravel 12.8 Performance?
Efficiently loading relationships is crucial to optimizing your Laravel application’s performance. With Laravel 12.8 introducing automatic relation loading, developers now have more flexibility in how they handle data queries.
This article compares eager, lazy, and automatic loading methods, explains when to use each, and highlights the best strategies for improving performance and developer experience.
The Problem: N+1 Query Pitfall
Common Issue: Inefficient Data Retrieval
In Laravel, when developers loop over a collection and access a related model (like post->author), Laravel may run one query per loop iteration. This is called the N+1 query problem.
For example, loading 100 posts and their authors could cause 101 queries if not optimized, 1 for posts and 100 for authors, causing significant performance issues, especially on large datasets or complex views.
The Solution: Choosing the Right Loading Strategy
Smart Strategy: Match Pattern to Purpose
Laravel 12.8 provides three relationship loading methods:
1. Eager Loading
Use when you know the relationships you’ll need upfront. It loads related models in fewer queries using with() or load(), reducing performance bottlenecks like the N+1 issue.
| 1 | $posts = Post::with('author')->get(); // 2 queries total |
Best for: List views, API responses, predictable access patterns.
2. Lazy Loading
Default Laravel behavior. Related models are loaded only when accessed, keeping initial queries simple but risking multiple queries later.
| 1 2 3 | $post = Post::find(1); echo $post->author->name; // Query happens here |
Best for: Conditional data access, admin panels, development prototypes.
3. Automatic Relation Loading (Laravel 12.8)
New in Laravel 12.8, this hybrid approach detects relationship access and loads data intelligently to avoid N+1 issues, without requiring explicit with() calls.
| 1 2 3 | $orders = Order::all()->withRelationshipAutoloading(); echo $orders[0]->client->owner->company->name; |
Best for: Deep relationship chains, legacy apps, rapid development.
Conclusion
Laravel’s relationship loading is no longer a one-size-fits-all decision. With Laravel 12.8’s automatic relation loading, you gain a smarter, context-aware alternative to traditional eager and lazy loading.
By matching your loading strategy to your use case, you’ll not only reduce unnecessary queries but also boost overall app performance and maintain clean, readable code.
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Greetings! I'm Aneesh Sreedharan, CEO of 2Hats Logic Solutions. At 2Hats Logic Solutions, we are dedicated to providing technical expertise and resolving your concerns in the world of technology. Our blog page serves as a resource where we share insights and experiences, offering valuable perspectives on your queries.
