Beyond Yoga vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Beyond Yoga excels in creating exceptionally soft, comfortable activewear perfect for yoga, lounging, and everyday life, with a strong focus on inclusive sizing. In contrast, Lululemon prioritizes high-performance, technical fabrics and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic designed for intense workouts and longevity, often at a higher price point.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear for your needs.
Beyond Yoga: The Leader in Supreme Softness & Comfort
Beyond Yoga is celebrated for its buttery-soft fabrics and body-positive approach to activewear. The brand caters to individuals who prioritize comfort above all else, offering versatile pieces that move seamlessly from a gentle yoga class to a relaxing day at home. Their aesthetic is often vibrant and playful, with seasonal colors and prints that stand out.
- Product mix: Primarily leggings, sports bras, and tops with a lounge-ready feel. Styles are designed for both low-impact activities like yoga and all-day casual wear.
- Price point: A mid-range premium brand, with most leggings falling between $60 and $120 and tops ranging from $50 to $90.
- Quality & Materials: Famous for its proprietary Spacedye fabric, which is beloved for being incredibly soft, stretchy, and durable while maintaining its color and shape. The material blend offers a luxurious feel combined with functional performance.
- Sizing/Fit: A key strength is its inclusivity, offering sizes from XS to 3X. The fit is generally true to size but prioritizes comfort, often resulting in a more relaxed and accommodating feel compared to compression-focused brands.
- Sales: Frequently runs promotions and has a dedicated sale section on their website, making it possible to get their popular styles at a discount.
Beyond Yoga is the go-to for anyone seeking a buttery-soft feel and a relaxed, inclusive fit that's perfect for both the studio and the couch.
Shop Beyond Yoga: beyondyoga.com
Lululemon: The Benchmark for Performance & Innovation
Lululemon is a global powerhouse that sets the standard for high-performance athletic apparel. The brand is known for its focus on innovative, technical fabrics that are engineered to support the most demanding workouts. Their aesthetic is sleek, modern, and minimalist, creating timeless pieces that blend functionality with a polished look.
- Product mix: Extensive range of high-performance leggings, shorts, bras, tops, and outerwear for yoga, running, training, and everyday life through their "On The Move" category.
- Price point: Positioned as a premium brand. Leggings typically cost between $80 and $150, and tops range from $50 to $80.
- Technology/Innovation: Heavily invested in fabric science, with proprietary materials like buttery-soft Nulu™ (for Align pants), moisture-wicking Luon™, and fast-drying Everlux™ designed for specific activities.
- Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs from 0 to 14 and is known for being true to size with a focus on a performance fit - snug and supportive. Offers various lengths, rises, and compression levels to cater to different body types and preferences.
- Return policy: Offers a generous 30-day return policy for unworn items and a well-regarded Quality Promise that addresses any performance issues with their products.
Lululemon sets the standard for technical activewear with durable, innovative fabrics designed to support your toughest workouts and last for years.
Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com
Beyond Yoga vs. Lululemon Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear difference in pricing between the two brands. Beyond Yoga’s leggings hover mostly in the $60-$120 range, positioning it as a premium brand that remains relatively accessible. You get exceptional fabric quality and comfort at a price point that is fair for the market.
Lululemon sits at a higher price tier, with most leggings costing between $80 and $150. This higher cost is justified by the brand's investment in fabric research, technical features designed for high-impact sports, and long-term durability. While more expensive upfront, many customers find the longevity provides good value over time.
Quality & Materials
Both brands offer excellent quality, but their material focus is different. Beyond Yoga prioritizes feel and "lived-in" comfort. Their Spacedye fabric is legendary for its ultra-soft texture, four-way stretch, and moisture-wicking properties, making it fantastic for yoga, Pilates, and daily wear.
Lululemon engineers fabrics for specific performance needs. Their Nulu™ fabric (used in Align pants) mimics Beyond Yoga's softness but is more delicate. For more intense activity, fabrics like Everlux™ and Luxtreme™ offer superior sweat-wicking, fast drying times, and compression that Beyond Yoga’s cozier materials don't match.
Style & Aesthetic
Beyond Yoga embraces a more vibrant, relaxed, and sometimes playful aesthetic. They are not afraid of bold, seasonal colors and unique prints. Their designs are stylish but lean towards comfort and a casual, lounge-ready vibe.
Lululemon’s signature style is minimalist, sleek, and sharp. Their color palette often consists of core neutrals and sophisticated, muted seasonal tones. The design philosophy is rooted in creating timeless, versatile pieces that transition effortlessly from the gym to the street without looking overly trendy.
Fit & Sizing
Sizing is a key differentiator. Beyond Yoga shines with its inclusive range from XS to 3X. Their fit emphasizes comfort, providing a gentle hold without feeling restrictive, which many find more forgiving and comfortable for all-day wear.
Lululemon offers sizes 0-14, which, while expanding, is less inclusive than Beyond Yoga’s. Their fit is decidedly performance-oriented. Expect a more compressive, body-hugging feel designed to support muscles during movement, which is ideal for running and training but can feel less relaxing for casual lounging.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands have made public commitments to improving their environmental footprint and ethical practices. Beyond Yoga highlights its use of sustainable fabric Bluesign-certified suppliers. Lululemon has detailed its "Impact Agenda" goals, focusing on using sustainable materials, reducing water usage, and ensuring fair labor practices in its supply chain.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on what you value most in activewear. Both brands are excellent, but they serve different priorities.
Choose Beyond Yoga if:
- Your top priority is a buttery-soft feel and supreme comfort.
- You want activewear that doubles as luxurious loungewear for relaxing at home.
- You need or appreciate an inclusive size range that extends up to 3X.
- Your primary activities are yoga, Pilates, barre, or walking.
- You love fun, vibrant colors and seasonal prints.
Choose Lululemon if:
- You need gear for high-impact activities like running, spinning, or HIIT.
- Longevity and durability are more important to you than initial softness.
- You value technical features like advanced sweat-wicking and compression.
- You prefer a minimalist, sleek, and timeless athletic aesthetic.
- You're willing to invest more for apparel that will withstand years of intense use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beyond Yoga or Lululemon more expensive?
Lululemon is generally more expensive. Their leggings and gear are priced at a premium due to their investment in technical fabric innovation and brand positioning.
Which brand is better for yoga?
It depends on the type of yoga. For gentle, restorative, or hatha yoga, Beyond Yoga's unmatched softness and comfort-focused fit are ideal. For hot yoga or a sweaty power flow class, Lululemon’s fast-drying Everlux™ fabric is superior.
What are the most famous fabrics for each brand?
Beyond Yoga is famous for its Spacedye fabric, known for its extreme softness and stretch. Lululemon is famous for several, but its Nulu™ fabric (used in Align pants) is most well-known for its weightless, buttery-soft feel, while Luon™ is their original performance fabric.
Do Beyond Yoga clothes run small?
No, Beyond Yoga generally runs true to size with a comfort-oriented, slightly more relaxed fit. If you are between sizes, you could likely size down for a more compressive feel.
Do Lululemon clothes run small?
Lululemon typically runs true to size, but their fit is intended to be snug and compressive for optimal performance. You should stick to your regular size for the intended fit.
Which brand is better for workouts other than yoga?
For high-intensity workouts like running, cycling, and HIIT, Lululemon is the clear winner. Their technical materials are specifically engineered to handle sweat, friction, and demanding movement far better than comfort-focused fabrics.
How do you wash Beyond Yoga and Lululemon leggings?
For both brands, it is recommended to wash them in cold water with similar fabrics and lay them flat to dry. Avoid using fabric softener, as it can break down the performance fibers. Putting them in the dryer is not recommended as heat can damage the elasticity.
Which company offers better size inclusivity?
Beyond Yoga is a champion in this category, offering a size range from XS to 3X. Lululemon has been expanding its range but currently maxes out at size 14 for most items, making Beyond Yoga the more inclusive option.
