There are many different types of diapers, and some that market themselves as being multiple types. I will attempt to break down the different types into a few categories.
FLATS: Flats are the simplest type of diaper. They are basically a flat sheet of fabric which is folded to create layers where absorbency is needed. They can either be folded and then pinned or snappied(more on that later) to the baby before putting a cover on, or folded to create a pad like shape and placed in a cover before being put on the baby. You can buy material specifically designed as flats (usually 30 inches by 30 or 27 by 27 roughly) often made of birdseye cotton but sometimes made of other natural fabrics. Flats can also be made out of recycled fabric from things like receiving blankets or even old cotton T shirts. If they are pad folded, any size or type of absorbant material will do the trick. Some people swear by flats as they are the easiest type of diapers to wash and dry being only one layer. Also if you are good at folding, the same diaper can fit from the newborn stage up until diapers are no longer needed. With flats a cover is needed (either PUL, wool or fleece) overtop. Sometimes a second flat is folded, inside one that is pinned into place, to increase absorbency in the wet zone. Flats can be intimidating to use and as they require lots of folding aren't always the quickest to put on.
PREFOLDS: Prefolds are one of the cheapest and simplest styles of diapers. Prefolds are similar to flats but aren't only one layer. A number of layers of fabric (usually cotton) are sew together. Usually prefolds are in 3 sections with the middle one (the wet zone) being a number of layers thicker than the other two sections. The number of layers in each section is usually indicated when you purchase them and may be something like 4-8-4 or 3-6-3. Prefolds come in a number of different sizes from Preemie to Toddler or Premium sizes. Like flats, they can be folded around the baby and snappied or pinned into place before putting on a cover. They can also be pad folded and placed in the cover before putting the cover on the baby. Like flats, prefolds are simple to wash, but take a little bit longer to dry. They are still pretty quick to dry though compared to some of the other types of diapers. In my opinion, even if prefolds aren't your main type of diaper, they are useful to have. I use mine on days I am at home and can change my babies often. They also work great as changing pads or burp cloths and can easily be repurposed once they are no longer needed, as cleaning cloths. Prefolds also last and last and will often be passed down to multiple babies. There are a number of companies who sell prefold packages with a few covers, a snappi and at least a days worth of prefolds. These are usually a good deal and a cheap way to get started with cloth diapers. Like flats, prefolds need a cover to go over them. You don't have to change the cover every time you have a dirty diaper though. Often the prefold can be removed and replaced and the same cover can be used. Some people will rotate covers, rinsing them or wiping them down and hanging them to air out between changes, only putting them in the wash when they get soiled or start to smell.
FITTED DIAPERS: Like prefolds and flats, fitted diapers are more often than not made of natural fabrics, although some brands contain a hidden microfibre layer. Fitteds contain multiple layers of fabric, sewn in the shape of a diaper. They often contain more layers in the wet zone. Some come with velcro or snap closures. There are many different brands and styles of fitteds and some are more thirsty than others. Like prefolds and flats, fitteds require a cover to go over top of them. First you put the fitted diaper on the baby, then you put on the cover. Fitted diapers require no folding and can fasten just as easily as a disposable. Some fitteds are very thick and therefore require a bit more washing and rinsing to get clean and take a lot longer to dry. Many brands of fitteds will come with extra inserts (absorbant pads of material) that are designed to be stuffed into a pocket opening, snapped in or placed inside the diaper depending on the brand. Many people who use wool covers choose to use fitteds underneath as they are often more absorbant than prefolds and flats. Many people swear by fitteds and wool as a night time solution. Some companies make one size fitteds, where the diaper is adjustable in fit and grows with your baby. Some make sized ones, where the diaper needs to be replaced with a larger size once it is outgrown.
ALL IN ONE: The name kind of says it all with these diapers. All in one diapers are the most like disposables to use, except instead of a sticky tab they close with velcro or snaps. Basically put the diaper on, take it off and wash it, put it back on. All in ones have the absorbant layer and the waterproof outer layer attached and some have a stay dry layer attached on the inside. Many people call these "daddy diapers" or daycare diapers" and keep a set of them just for others to use. These diapers tend to be the most expensive and are also often the most difficult to get throughly clean in the wash. They also take the longest to dry. All in one diapers, like fitteds, come in one sized or sized styles. The xs and s all in one diapers, from a number of different companies, are often perfect for the newborn stage where less layers of absorbency are needed, therefore making them easier to get throughly clean. If you want a diaper as easy to put on as a disposable, these could be the ones for you. Some all in one diapers have an added pocket which can be stuffed with an extra insert when more absorbency is needed.
ALL IN TWO: All in two diapers are similar in a way to using prefolds pad folded and a cover. They come in 2 parts. There is an absorbant part (an insert) and a cover. Some of the covers have snaps to attach the absorbant layer too, or pieces you flip up and slide the absorbant layer under, others you just lay the insert into the shell before putting it on the baby. Recently more companies have been designing and marketing all in two diapers. You can often buy them in sets with a cover and 2 or 3 inserts. Or even in packs with a few covers and enough inserts to last a full day or more. Many of the all in two diapers are marketed as "systems" and the cover and absorbant insert are given fancy names. Often the covers that are sold of part of an all in 2 diaper also work well with cheaper inserts like prefolds or flats. Systems also don't necessarily need to be used together as often one absorbant insert will also fit in a cover from another brand. The nice thing with all in 2 systems is you usually dont need to fold the inserts. You grab a cover, grab the insert place them together and put them on your baby. Often the inserts come with different layers, with a stay dry layer on top next to the babies skin and even a waterproof layer on the back to protect the cover. One of the problems with all in two systems is that if the first time you use an insert, the baby poops and the mess gets on the inside of the cover, you have to put the whole thing into the laundry. Then you are left with a couple of extra inserts that are unavailable to use until the wash is done, unless you have another clean cover.
HYBRID DIAPERS: Many all in two systems are also marketed as hybrid systems. They come with a reusable insert that is made of cloth and washable, but they also come with disposable absorbant inserts that can be thrown away. Some are even designed to be cut open and flushed or composted in places where that is allowed. The problem with these hybrid diapers is that the inserts available cost way more than a disposable diaper does, sometimes more than double. It is good that people using them are throwing away a smaller amount of waste each time, but in my opinion they aren't as good as cloth. Some people who use cloth at home, use them when out of the house or travelling where laundry isn't available. Like the insert with all in 2 diapers, there is no need to always use the same brand of disposable insert with the same brand of cover.
POCKET DIAPERS: One of the most popular style of cloth diapers are called pocket diapers. In pocket diapers the waterproof outer layer is attached to an usually an inner layer (usually microfleece or microsuede) forming a pocket. Some diapers that are marketed as all in 2 or hybrid diapers also have a pocket and are marketed as both an all in 2 or a pocket diaper. Some all in one and fitted diapers, while having some absorbant layers sewn into them, also include pockets so additional inserts can be added. Many pocket diapers come with the pocket shell and with one or two inserts used to stuff the shell. Often there will be an infant sized insert which is smaller and thinner (less bulky on a newborn) and a larger insert to be used as the baby gets bigger. Later the infant insert can be used along with the larger insert as to provide extra absorbency (often then called a doubler or a booster). Pocket diapers need to be stuffed before using. This is a pretty quick thing to do, and often I will do it in the evenings as I sit and relax watching a little television. You can stuff pockets as you use them, but I prefer to have them stuffed and ready to go as needed. Sometimes, when short on time, stuffing can be a bit of a pain. This is where an all in 2 system has the advantage, as there is no need to pre stuff. Once pocket diapers are stuffed, they are as easy to use as an all in one diaper, going on like a disposable and fastening with either snaps or velcro (also referred to as aplix). Once used, the inserts are pulled out of the pocket opening and are washed separately from the pocket shell. This allows the inserts to get throughly clean and makes for a quicker drying time. Like most of the other types of diapers, pocket diapers come as sized diapers (with some brands only having 2 sizes and some having 4 or 5 sizes) or one sized diapers. One sized diapers are often adjusted with rows of snaps in the front allowing them to have a higher or shorter rise or with elastic drawstrings on the legs and waist. Many pocket diapers fit a little differently from each other and often one brand will fit a baby better than another. Like women wearing jeans, just because it is technically the right size, it might not be the perfect fit. Sometimes babies will go through periods where one brand fits better than another, then as they change shape, another brand will fit perfectly. This is one of the reasons I prefer some variety in my cloth diaper stash.
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