The geophysical method of geoelectrical prospecting involves passing a electric current through the Earth by means of two electrodes and measuring the resulting potential difference between two points of the Earth surface, by means of two potential electrodes. These electrodes may be disposed of differents manners, resulting differents configurations. In the vertical resistivity soundings, the configurations more used are the Wenner and the Schlumberger. The present paper is a critical revision of the advantages presented for both the configurations, under various viewpoints: operation in the field, depth of exploration, quality of the field apparent resistivity curves, vertical resolution, effects of lateral resistivity variation, rapid check of the resistence measurements made in the field and precision required for the equipment. As result, were concluded that Wenner configuration requires less precise equipment and permits rapid check of the resistence measurement, better control of the effects of lateral resistivity variation and greater vertical resolution. The Schlumberger configuration is less sensitive to errors of spacing electrodes and permits more rapid field operation and to obtain better apparent resistivity curves.The geophysical method of geoelectrical prospecting involves passing a electric current through the Earth by means of two electrodes and measuring the resulting potential difference between two points of the Earth surface, by means of two potential electrodes. These electrodes may be disposed of differents manners, resulting differents configurations. In the vertical resistivity soundings, the configurations more used are the Wenner and the Schlumberger. The present paper is a critical revision of the advantages presented for both the configurations, under various viewpoints: operation in the field, depth of exploration, quality of the field apparent resistivity curves, vertical resolution, effects of lateral resistivity variation, rapid check of the resistence measurements made in the field and precision required for the equipment. As result, were concluded that Wenner configuration requires less precise equipment and permits rapid check of the resistence measurement, better control of the effects of lateral resistivity variation and greater vertical resolution. The Schlumberger configuration is less sensitive to errors of spacing electrodes and permits more rapid field operation and to obtain better apparent resistivity curves.