When to Use Mix and Match vs Fixed Bundle

Choosing the right bundle type depends on how much flexibility you want to give customers and how many product variants you're working with.

Quick Comparison

Fixed Bundle

Use Fixed Bundle when:

• You want to sell a specific set of products together (e.g., "Starter Kit" with 3 fixed items)
• You have simple product variations (few options, low variant count)
• You want the simplest setup

Example: "Skincare Essentials Bundle" - includes cleanser, moisturizer, and serum. Customers buy all three together.

Fixed Bundle Limitations

Because Fixed Bundle creates a native Shopify product, it inherits Shopify's constraints:

• Maximum 3 options (e.g., Size, Color, Material)
• Maximum 2,048 variants
• Variants multiply across bundled products

Example of hitting limits:

• Product A has 3 color options
• Product B has 4 size options
• Bundle needs 12 variants (3 × 4) and 2 options

If you bundle more products with more variants, you'll hit these limits quickly.

Mix and Match (Build Your Own Bundle)

Use Mix and Match when:

• Customers should choose products from categories (e.g., "Pick any 3 snacks")
• You're hitting variant limits with Fixed Bundle
• You have many products with lots of variants
• You want customers to customize their bundle

Example: "Build Your Own Gift Box" - customers pick 3 items from Bath & Body, 2 from Candles, and 1 add-on.

Mix and Match Benefits

• No variant limits - works with any number of product combinations
• Independent variant selectors - each product keeps its own options
• More flexibility - customers build exactly what they want

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: "I have 5 products, each with color options"

Use Mix and Match.

A Fixed Bundle would need 5 options (one per product), but Shopify only allows 3 options max. Mix and Match gives each product its own color selector without hitting limits.

Scenario 2: "I want to sell a shirt + hat combo in 3 sizes"

Use Multi Variant Bundle (a type of Fixed Bundle with options).

The bundle has 1 option (Size) with 3 variants. Each variant can contain different shirt/hat products. This stays within Shopify's 3-option limit.

Scenario 3: "I have 2,000+ variant combinations"

Use Mix and Match.

Fixed Bundle is capped at 2,048 variants. Mix and Match has no variant limits.

Scenario 4: "I just want a simple 'Buy these 3 items together' bundle"

Use Fixed Bundle.

It's the simplest setup and perfect for pre-built bundles with low variant counts.

Workaround: Mix and Match as a Fixed Bundle

If you want Fixed Bundle behavior but need to avoid variant limits:

1. Create a Mix and Match bundle
2. Disable "Quantity as an option"
3. Set up categories so there's only one logical combination

This gives you Fixed Bundle simplicity with Mix and Match's unlimited variants.

Still Not Sure?

If you're not sure which bundle type fits your needs, reach out via the in-app chat. We'll help you choose the right setup for your store.

Updated on: 20/02/2026