Fabletics vs. Lululemon: Which Activewear Brand Is Actually Worth It in 2026?

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Andi Grant

Andi Grant has spent years looking at style from both sides of the camera. After more than 15 years as a professional model, she now brings her eye for fit, styling, and presentation to life on a 20-acre Michigan ranch. A lifelong equestrian who grew up working with horses, Andrea has a particular soft spot for cowboy boots, riding boots, Western wear, and pieces that can look good while still handling a little dirt and hard work. When she’s not talking fashion, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, or keeping up with the goats, chickens, peacocks, and dogs that make ranch life anything but borin

Latest posts by Andi Grant (see all)

• Best Workout Leggings in 2026: 7 Picks for Every Type of Workout - October 27, 2026
• Fabletics vs. Lululemon: Which Activewear Brand Is Actually Worth It in 2026? - October 27, 2026
• Best Supportive Bralettes: 6 Comfortable Options That Offer Real Support - October 27, 2026

I don’t mind paying more for leggings I love, but at $100 a pair, my expectations are pretty high. Lululemon has a loyal following thanks to its fabrics and workout clothes that can last for years. Still, when I’m mostly wearing those leggings to Target or around the house, I start to wonder whether I need to spend that much.

Fabletics offers everything from compressive workout leggings to softer everyday styles, sports bras, and matching sets. Its VIP pricing can make those purchases considerably less expensive than Lululemon, although the difference isn’t nearly as impressive at regular retail prices.

I’ve worn both brands, and while I still have Lululemon pieces I wouldn’t want to give up, Fabletics has earned a bigger place in my closet. Here’s how they compare on quality, fit, performance, and price.

Fabletics vs. Lululemon at a Glance

Leggings: Which Brand Performs Better?

For Everyday Comfort: Fabletics Seamless Scrunch vs. Lululemon Align

Lululemon’s Align leggings are popular for a reason. Made with Nulu fabric, they’re incredibly soft, lightweight, and designed to move with you. They’re especially comfortable for yoga, Pilates, lounging, and days when you don’t want to feel squeezed into your clothes.

My Aligns are still incredibly comfortable, but they’ve developed pilling along the inner thighs despite careful washing. That’s frustrating for leggings I mostly wear around the house or running errands.

Fabletics’s Seamless Scrunch leggings are soft and stretchy. I wear mine for Yoga, walks, and errands, but not for a demanding leg day.

My Oxblood Seamless Scrunch leggings have a more fitted, curve-hugging look than the Aligns, especially through the back. The scrunch detail gives your backside a little extra attention, which I certainly don’t mind after a good squat day.

For Strength Training: Fabletics PowerHold vs. Lululemon Wunder Train

Wunder Trains use Lululemon’s Everlux fabric, designed to wick moisture and dry quickly. They have a supportive feel without the same firm compression as PowerHold, plus a waistband drawcord that helps keep them in place.

My Wunder Trains have been extremely dependable. They stay put when I lift, dry quickly, and have held up well through regular wear. Of everything I own from Lululemon, they’re probably the piece I’d have the hardest time replacing.

Fabletics PowerHold leggings feel noticeably different. The fabric is thicker and more structured, with maximum compression designed to hold everything in place during movement. The On-the-Go version also has side pockets, which I love because I can carry my phone without figuring out where to put it between exercises.

Lululemon does offer Wunder Trains with side pockets, but that version costs $128 at regular retail, compared with $98 for the standard no-pocket ones.

I’ve worn PowerHold leggings for squats, lunges, and spin without having to pull up the waistband mid-workout. I’m between sizes, so I went with the larger size. They still give me plenty of compression without feeling too tight. Mine are in Soft Pink/Mushroom Mauve, and even in that lighter color, they’ve passed the squat test without showing through.

At $104.95 for non-members, the Soft Pink/Mushroom Mauve On-the-Go PowerHold leggings cost slightly more than standard Wunder Trains. The VIP price is $74.95, though, making them considerably more affordable—while still including side pockets.

Sports Bras: Fabletics vs. Lululemon on Support and Comfort

Lululemon’s Energy Bra is designed for medium-impact activities, with a supportive fit and removable cups. The standard version costs $58 and is intended for B–D cups. I’ve owned both the Energy Bra and Like a Cloud bras, and they’ve been dependable, although some have stretched out after a couple of years.

Fabletics’s Principal Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra has wider straps, a longer band, removable cups, and sweat-wicking fabric. I like the extra coverage of a longline bra, although I’m particular about bands that feel too tight or dig into my sides.

I’ve found my Fabletics sports bras comfortable and supportive enough for lifting and spin classes. They’re not dramatically better than my Energy Bra, but I haven’t noticed much difference in support for those activities. At $64.95 for non-members, the Principal Longline costs more than the standard Energy Bra, but the $44.95 VIP price gives Fabletics the advantage.

Both brands have options beyond medium-impact workouts. Fabletics offers softer low-impact bras for yoga and Pilates, along with the No-Bounce High Impact Sports Bra for running and more intense workouts. The No-Bounce has a higher neckline, wider bottom band, and breathable perforated details. I have the No-Bounce bra too, and I like it quite a bit. I don’t have a whole lot to bounce in the first place, but I still appreciate feeling secure when I’m moving around.

Lululemon has the Like a Cloud collection for lighter activities, plus high-support options like the Energy High Support and Run Times bras. Those come in specific band and cup sizes covering B–G cups, with adjustable straps and hook-and-eye closures. Fabletics has adjustable styles, too, but its No-Bounce uses general apparel sizing rather than separate band and cup measurements. That could be a deciding factor if you’ve had trouble finding sports bras that fit comfortably around both your bust and rib cage.

Matching Sets: Fabletics vs. Lululemon on Style and Selection

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a matching set. There’s something about putting on coordinated leggings and a sports bra that makes me feel more put together, even when I’m going straight from the gym to the grocery store.

Lululemon does understated activewear especially well. Its muted greens, earthy tones, and soft neutrals have a polished look that doesn’t feel overly trendy. An Align tank with matching leggings can easily become an outfit you wear week after week.

The catch is finding everything in the same color. Seasonal shades can disappear quickly, and matching pieces aren’t always available in the sizes you need. I’ve also noticed that the same color name can look a little different between fabrics.

Fabletics makes shopping for complete outfits easier. Its website regularly features coordinated leggings, bras, and tops, so you can see how the pieces look together before buying. There’s also a wide selection of prints and brighter colors if you’re tired of wearing black leggings every day.

Fabletics shows many styles on models with different body types, which helps when trying to judge how a set might fit. Certain leggings also offer short, regular, and tall inseams, although availability varies by style.

One thing I’ve noticed with Fabletics, however, is that matching pieces aren’t always sold as a set. Sometimes you buy the leggings and bra separately, while other outfits qualify for special deals or VIP Credits. I always look at the total before buying, because putting together a matching outfit doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a better price.

Quality and Durability: How Does Fabletics Compare to Lululemon?

Lululemon has a reputation for quality, and my Wunder Trains have survived countless workouts and washes without losing their shape. My Aligns are another story, with pilling along the inner thighs despite careful washing. I also had a seam come apart on another Lululemon item, and getting a replacement was more of a hassle than I expected, especially considering what I had paid.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how my Fabletics PowerHold leggings have held up. I wash them after every workout, so they’ve been through plenty of wash cycles already. The fabric still looks good, the compression hasn’t noticeably changed, and I’ve had no problems with pilling or seams.

My one frustration has been sizing consistency. Different colors of the same Fabletics style have fit me slightly differently. It hasn’t put me off buying them, but I no longer assume the next pair will fit exactly the same.

So far, my PowerHold leggings have held up as well as my Wunder Trains, despite the difference in what I paid.

Price Comparison: Is Fabletics Really Cheaper Than Lululemon?

To see how the prices compare, I used my own Fabletics outfit: the On-the-Go PowerHold leggings in Soft Pink/Mushroom Mauve with the Principal Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra in Oxblood and Lululemon’s Wunder Train 25-inch leggings with the Energy Bra.

Fabletics isn’t necessarily cheaper at retail. Its standard VIP pricing is where the savings come in, without having to rely on a temporary introductory offer.

At regular retail prices, the Fabletics outfit is slightly more expensive than Lululemon. With standard VIP pricing, though, the comparison changes. The Fabletics outfit costs about 23% less, even before any additional promotions.

Fabletics also has some pretty great deals for new VIP members. I’ve seen offers like two pairs of leggings for $24, along with huge discounts on other styles. The promotions change, but they’re a nice way to try the brand without spending nearly as much up front.

Lululemon’s We Made Too Much section is also a good place to find deals, especially if you’re flexible about colors. I’ve found that the popular sizes and shades tend to go quickly, though, so it’s not always easy to get exactly what you’re looking for.

How the Fabletics VIP Membership Works

Fabletics’s VIP membership is where a lot of the savings come from. Members get lower prices, exclusive deals, and the option to receive a monthly VIP Credit.

Here’s how it works: You have from the 1st through the 5th of each month to skip. If you don’t skip by the 5th, Fabletics charges a $69.95 monthly membership fee, which includes a VIP Credit and other member benefits.

You can use a VIP Credit for an individual item priced up to $100 at the VIP rate, or toward qualifying outfits and bundles. Some sets require more than one credit, and unused credits expire after 12 months. You can also cancel your membership anytime online, by phone, or through customer service chat.

You can skip as many months as you want without losing VIP pricing. I’ve forgotten to skip before, though, and I was a little annoyed with myself when that $69.95 charge came through.

One thing I’ve learned is to look at the sale price before using a credit. Sometimes an item is discounted enough that I’d rather pay for it outright and save my credit for a more expensive outfit.

I can see the membership being more trouble than it’s worth for someone who only buys workout clothes once in a while, but I shop for activewear often enough that I get plenty of use out of the discounts, even during months when I skip.

Returns and Exchanges: What If the Fit Isn’t Right?

With Fabletics, I’ve noticed that even different colors of the same leggings can fit a little differently, so I like knowing I have options if something doesn’t work. Both brands generally give you 30 days to return unworn clothing with the tags attached, although Fabletics counts from the shipment date, while Lululemon counts from the delivery date for online orders.

Fabletics offers returns through its stores, by mail, or at participating Happy Returns locations, where you don’t need a box or shipping label. Lululemon also accepts returns by mail or in store, but exchanges need to be handled at a store. I’d be more careful with clearance purchases from either brand, because some sale items have different return rules.

Fabletics vs. Lululemon: Which Is Worth Buying in 2026?

I still love my Wunder Trains, and the softness of Aligns is hard to replace. But I don’t think Lululemon has quite the edge it used to. Between the pilling and occasional quality issues, I’m less convinced that a higher price means better clothes.

Fabletics has surprised me with how well its clothes perform, especially for what I pay as a VIP member. My PowerHold leggings have held up beautifully, the sports bras give me the support I need, and I can pick up matching sets without spending nearly as much. I’ve been happy with the quality, and I like having more room in my budget to buy something else when I want to.

I’m certainly not getting rid of the Lululemon pieces I already love, but I don’t automatically shop there first anymore. Fabletics has given me a pretty good reason to look elsewhere, and lately, that’s where more of my workout clothes have been coming from.