class A { } 

class B extends A { } 

Object o1 = new A(); 

Object o2 = new B(); 

o1 instanceof A => true 

o1 instanceof B => false 

o2 instanceof A => true // <================ HERE 

o2 instanceof B => true 

o1.getClass().equals(A.class) => true 

o1.getClass().equals(B.class) => false 

o2.getClass().equals(A.class) => false // <===============HERE 

o2.getClass().equals(B.class) => true 

getClass() will be useful when you want to make sure your instance is NOT a subclass of the class you are comparing with.