ComfyUI Models Explained: Checkpoints, LoRAs, VAEs & Every Type You Need (2026 Guide)

Every ComfyUI workflow starts with one decision: which model do you load? In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we break down everything you need to know about AI models in ComfyUI – from checkpoints and diffusion models to FLUX, SDXL, SD 1.5, and the newer open-source releases.