When adding a simple product in Magento, it’s linked to one SKU and doesn’t have different versions. On the other hand, a Magento 2 configurable product is connected to a group of several simple products.
Each variation is made through a specific attribute in Magento and is linked to its own SKU. These choices show the same item but with different features, like color or size.
Even though you can achieve similar results with mixed products, choosing configurable products lets you keep track of how much of each product is available separately.
You can decide between these two types of products based on what works best for keeping track of your inventory.