I'm using plain js to alter the inner text of a label element, and I wasn't sure on what grounds I should use innerHTML or nodeValue or textContent. I don't need to create a new node or change the HTML elements or anything — just replace the text. Here's an example of the code:

var myLabel = document.getElementById(#someLabel);

myLabel.innerHTML = Some new label text!; // this works



myLabel.firstChild.nodeValue = Some new label text!; // this also works.



myLabel.textContent = Some new label text!; // this also works.

I looked through the jQuery source, and it uses nodeValue exactly one time but innerHTML and textContent several times. Then I found this jsperf test that indicates the firstChild.nodeValue is significantly faster. At least that's what I interpret it to mean.

If firstChild.nodeValue is so much faster, what's the catch? Is it not widely supported? Is there some other issue?