Table of contents

1. Simple products: the foundation of your catalog2. Configurable products: variants with dropdowns3. Grouped products: bundled standalones4. Bundle products: customizable kits5. Virtual products: intangible offerings6. Downloadable products: digital goodsHow to choose the right Magento 2 product typeExtra features that enhance product listings in Magento 2How to get started

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Magento Guide → Products

Magento 2 product types: A beginner’s guide

Magento 2 gives you powerful options for structuring your product catalog, but only if you understand how the different product types work. From simple physical items to customizable bundles and digital downloads, each product type serves a specific purpose and unlocks a different customer experience.

Let’s walk through each Magento 2 product type, when to use them, and how to manage them effectively in your store.

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1. Simple products: the foundation of your catalog

A simple product is the most basic type in Magento 2. It represents a single item with no customizable options. If your store sells items that come in just one size, color, or configuration, this is the product type to use.

Examples:

A paperback book
A USB flash drive
A one-size yoga mat

You can set a SKU, price, weight, and inventory level for each simple product. These products can also be used as components in configurable, grouped, or bundle products, making them extremely versatile.

2. Configurable products: variants with dropdowns

Configurable products let you sell multiple variations of a product—like size, color, or material—under one product page. Behind the scenes, each variation is actually a separate simple product with its own SKU and inventory level.

Example: A T-shirt that comes in 3 sizes (S, M, L) and 2 colors (red, black) is a configurable product made up of 6 simple products.

When the customer selects their preferred options from dropdown menus, Magento loads the corresponding simple product dynamically. This makes inventory tracking and order management more precise while keeping the shopping experience clean and unified.

3. Grouped products: bundled standalones

Grouped products are a collection of simple products displayed on a single page. Unlike configurable or bundle products, grouped items are not variations of the same product. Each has its own quantity selector, and customers can add multiple items to the cart at once.

Example: A home office setup that includes a chair, desk, and lamp—all sold individually but grouped together for convenience.

This type is useful when you want to encourage bulk or complementary purchases without forcing the items to be bought as a kit.

4. Bundle products: customizable kits

Bundle products let customers build their own version of a product by choosing components from pre-set options. It’s ideal for kits and multi-part items where users want control over what’s included.

Example: A custom PC builder where the shopper selects CPU, RAM, storage, and graphics card options.

Each bundle component can be a simple or virtual product, and you can set whether a selection is required or optional. This type enhances customer satisfaction by offering customization without overwhelming complexity.

5. Virtual products: intangible offerings

Virtual products are items that don’t require shipping or inventory tracking. These are perfect for services, add-ons, or warranties that exist independently of physical goods.

Examples:

Installation service
Extended support plans
Monthly consulting fees

You can sell virtual products on their own or as part of a bundle. Since they don’t involve fulfillment, Magento skips shipping and handling calculations automatically.

6. Downloadable products: digital goods

Downloadable products are digital files that customers can download after purchase. This type supports multiple files and lets you control download limits or link expiration.

Examples:

eBooks and PDFs
Audio tracks
Software or design templates

Magento handles everything from secure file delivery to download permissions, making it a strong option for digital sellers.

How to choose the right Magento 2 product type

Not sure which type fits your needs? Start by considering how your product is structured and what you want the customer experience to look like.

Start with simple products for basic listings. Move to configurable or bundle products when you want to give shoppers options or flexibility. Use virtual and downloadable types when physical delivery doesn’t apply.

Product Type	Use Case	Has Variants?	Physical Item?	Customizable?
Simple	One standalone product	No	Yes or No	No
Configurable	Variants (e.g., size, color)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Grouped	Multiple items sold together	No	Yes	Limited
Bundle	Custom kits or component selection	No	Yes/Virtual	Yes
Virtual	Services or subscriptions	No	No	No
Downloadable	Digital file delivery	No	No	No

Extra features that enhance product listings in Magento 2

Beyond choosing the right product type, Magento 2 offers several built-in features that improve how your listings look and perform:

Product attributes: Attributes like size, material, and color can be used for filtering, sorting, and layered navigation. They also power configurable products and create more detailed product pages.
Custom options: When you don’t need full inventory tracking for each variation, custom options offer a lightweight alternative. These are fields like text boxes, radio buttons, and dropdowns that let users personalize a product without linking to separate SKUs.
Images and media: Every product can include multiple images, videos, and swatches. Use high-quality visuals to show products from multiple angles or demonstrate functionality.
Related, upsell, and cross-sell products: Suggest complementary or higher-value items to increase your average order value. Magento lets you assign these manually or via rules.
Tier pricing and customer groups: Offer quantity-based discounts or create price tiers for wholesalers, B2B buyers, or VIP members. This helps tailor pricing to different customer segments.

Next steps for using Magento 2 product types

Understanding Magento 2 product types is essential for building an efficient catalog and providing a smooth shopping experience. Whether you’re selling physical goods, services, or digital downloads, picking the right type helps with inventory management, SEO, and conversion optimization.

If you’re just getting started, try setting up a few simple products first. Then experiment with configurable or bundled products once you’re more comfortable with Magento’s backend.

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