When is `new Error()` better than `Error()`?

Question

The ES5 language spec clearly states that Error(foo) does the same thing as new Error(foo).

But I notice that in the wild, the longer new

Answer 1

Is there some reason for this?

It's simply the habit of always calling constructors with new. Consistency rules!

It's a good practice to do even when they work without new, and recommended by several style guides and related tooling. Btw, since ES6 Error is subclassible, and its subclasses will require new.