Best MacOS version for mid 2014 13" MBP?

[shaocaholica]

I'm setting up a spare 2014 MBP13 for a family member who only needs it for light web browsing. It's the 2.6ghz i5 with 8GB. Currently running the latest supported MacOS (Big Sur) but it feels a bit sluggish at times. Should I put Catalina on it instead?

 

[macsound1]

I have a 2013 on Mojave and a 2014 on Catalina. Mostly because I didn't want things to break once moving to Big Sur. But they run great. No issues with safari or logging into secure sites yet, so I'm content leaving them on those OSes.

 

[Audit13]

I am running the latest Big Sur and it's been perfectly stable for office apps, surfing, and email.