Generally, Y-strainers are used with gases and in cases where the necessity for cleaning is infrequent. Basket strainers are generally used with liquids and where regular or frequent cleaning is needed. Basket strainers hold considerably more material than Y-strainers and they offer less pressure drop than Y-strainers - both factors of more importance in liquid flow than in gaseous flow.

Y-strainers must be installed with the basket down and this means they are in an "upside down" position. The strainer screen has to be removed for cleaning from the bottom. As basket strainer is installed upright and the basket is lifted out from the top. This makes it easier to use with gummy or sticky fluids or with large sizes where the filled basket weight can be considerable. However, it also means that a basket sterner has to be installed in a horizontal line. It cannot be used with vertical piping.