- V-belts, or Vee belts, are typically used for light-duty power equipment and appliances. V-belts fit in a deep, Vee-shaped groove inside of the pulley wheels, and provide high-traction power.
- Poly-V belts, also called serpentine belts, are flat on the outside and have multiple Vee-shaped grooves on the inside. This type of drive belt provides the high-traction power of a traditional V-belt in only one belt.
- V-link belts are similar to traditional V-belts, but are open-ended and don't require the use of metal fasteners. V-link belts are typically used when obstructions make it difficult to reach the drive belt. This type of drive belt tends to be expensive and has a limited load capacity.
- Flat belts are light-weight drive belts that can handle high speeds. This type of drive belt has a tendency to slip because there is less traction.
- Timing belts, sometimes called synchronous belts, are generally used in low-power applications. Timing belts have teeth on the inside and do not depend on friction. Timing belts have a more limited power capacity than other types of drive belts.
