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ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus vs ASUS NUC 16 Pro
The quick verdict
- Spec leadeach leads on 2 of 4 differing specs
- Best forNUC 14 Pro Plus for the smallest possible PC for a tight deskNUC 16 Pro for running VMs or a home server
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 4 specs that differ, the ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus leads on 2 (weight and volume) and the ASUS NUC 16 Pro on 2 (max RAM and Wi-Fi generation). On our homelab or virtualization box index, the NUC 16 Pro scores 100/100 against 86/100.
Using the 8 specs published on ASUS's official tech spec pages plus our own CPU tier rating, here is how the ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus and ASUS NUC 16 Pro compare. Max RAM: the NUC 16 Pro at 128 GB versus 48 GB for the NUC 14 Pro Plus, 80 GB higher (2.7x). Wi-Fi generation: Wi-Fi 7 on the NUC 16 Pro, Wi-Fi 6E on the NUC 14 Pro Plus. The NUC 14 Pro Plus leads on weight, 0.59 kg to 0.75 kg, 1.3x. On volume, the NUC 14 Pro Plus posts 0.66 L and the NUC 16 Pro 0.71 L, a gap of 0.05 L. Display outputs per liter: the NUC 14 Pro Plus at 6.05 against 5.65 for the NUC 16 Pro. Max RAM per liter: the NUC 16 Pro at 180.8 GB against 72.6 GB for the NUC 14 Pro Plus.
Key differences 3
Wi-Fi generationNUC 16 Pro leads
- NUC 16 Pro Wi-Fi 7 vs the NUC 14 Pro Plus at Wi-Fi 6E
Max RAMNUC 16 Pro leads
- NUC 16 Pro 128 GB vs the NUC 14 Pro Plus at 48 GB
- the NUC 16 Pro has 2.7x the max RAM
Upgradable to 128 GB later
WeightNUC 14 Pro Plus leads
- NUC 14 Pro Plus 0.59 kg vs the NUC 16 Pro at 0.75 kg
- the NUC 14 Pro Plus: 0.16 kg lighter
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | NUC 14 Pro Plus | NUC 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 48 GB | 128 GBWIN |
| Weight | 0.59 kgWIN | 0.75 kg |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7WIN |
| Volume | 0.66 LWIN | 0.71 L |
Show every spec
| Spec | NUC 14 Pro Plus | NUC 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU tier (our rating, of 10) | 10 | 10 |
| Max RAM | 48 GB | 128 GBWIN |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps |
| USB ports | 7 | 7 |
| Display outputs | 4 | 4 |
| USB4/Thunderbolt | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7WIN |
| Weight | 0.59 kgWIN | 0.75 kg |
| Volume | 0.66 LWIN | 0.71 L |
| Metric (0–100) | NUC 14 Pro Plus | NUC 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Home office fit | 100 | 100 |
| Living-room media PC fit | 100 | 100 |
| Homelab fit | 86 | 100WIN |
| Tiny desk setup fit | 52WIN | 46 |
The details
How to choose
- Weight matters most → the NUC 14 Pro Plus (0.59 kg vs 0.75 kg)
- Wi-Fi generation matters most → the NUC 16 Pro (Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E)
More NUC 14 Pro Plus leads
- Volume: 0.66 L vs 0.71 L
Combined metrics
- Display outputs per liter: NUC 14 Pro Plus 6.05 vs 5.65
- Max RAM per liter: NUC 16 Pro 180.8 GB vs 72.6 GB
Same on both
- CPU tier 10/10, max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps, USB ports 7
- display outputs 4, USB4/Thunderbolt supported
Use-case scores
- Homelab or virtualization box: NUC 16 Pro 100 vs 86
- Tiny desk setup: NUC 14 Pro Plus 52 vs 46
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which takes more RAM, the ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus or the ASUS NUC 16 Pro?
- The NUC 16 Pro, with 128 GB against 48 GB for the NUC 14 Pro Plus.
- Which is lighter, the ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus or the ASUS NUC 16 Pro?
- The NUC 14 Pro Plus, with 0.59 kg against 0.75 kg for the NUC 16 Pro.
- Which use cases suit the ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus and the ASUS NUC 16 Pro?
- A homelab or virtualization box: the NUC 16 Pro. A tiny desk setup: the NUC 14 Pro Plus. (based on our own use-case index)