Buff Bunny vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Discover if Buff Bunny's trendy, inclusive styles or Lululemon's premium, durable designs are your perfect activewear match. Explore fashion vs. performance.
Spencer Lanoue
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Spencer Lanoue
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Buff Bunny is known for bold, trend-driven designs and inclusive sizing at a mid-range price, appealing to those who want fashionable activewear that stands out. In contrast, Lululemon offers premium, minimalist athletic apparel famous for its superior fabric technology, longevity, and higher price point.

Let's compare these two popular brands to help you decide which activewear is the right fit for your style and budget.

Buff Bunny: The Bold & Fashion-Forward Activewear

Founded by fitness influencer Heidi Somers, Buff Bunny caters to women who want functional workout gear that is also highly stylish and expressive. The brand drops collections with distinct themes, vibrant colors, and unique details that build a loyal following among a younger, fashion-conscious audience that values both performance and aesthetics.

  • Product mix: Offers a full range of women's activewear, including leggings, sports bras, tops, jackets, and accessories designed for gym workouts and everyday wear.
  • Price point: Sits in the mid-to-premium range considered more accessible than many luxury brands. Leggings are typically priced between $50 and $80, with sports bras costing around $30 to $50.
  • Quality: Utilizes high-quality, durable fabrics with moisture-wicking and four-way stretch properties. Most leggings are designed to be squat-proof and hold up well during intense training.
  • Sizing/Fit: A major strength is its inclusive sizing, typically ranging from XS to 3X. Sizing can sometimes be inconsistent between different collections, so it's always wise to consult their size chart before purchasing.
  • Sales: Frequently holds sales events and offers bundle deals, providing good opportunities for customers to purchase items at a discount.

Buff Bunny serves shoppers who prioritize unique, eye-catching styles and inclusive sizing without moving into the higher price brackets of premium activewear.

Shop Buff Bunny: buffbunnycollection.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Performance Wear

Lululemon is a globally recognized athletic apparel company that set the standard for premium yoga and workout gear. Renowned for its proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ and supportive Luxtreme™, the brand has built a reputation on impeccable quality, a sleek aesthetic, and performance-driven innovation that justifies its premium price tag.

  • Product mix: Extensive product lineup for men and women including leggings, sports bras, tops, jackets, accessories, and a growing line of footwear.
  • Price point: Positioned firmly in the premium category. Expect to pay between $98 and $128 for leggings and $48 to $68 for a typical sports bra.
  • Quality: Famous for industry-leading fabrics, meticulous construction, and incredible durability. Lululemon pieces are often considered a long-term investment that withstands years of use.
  • Sizing/Fit: Known for offering a consistent, true-to-size fit that customers find reliable across different styles. Most women's items are available in sizes 0 to 20.
  • Return policy: Offers a flexible and well-regarded return policy, and their quality promise allows for potential returns or exchanges on items that don't meet performance expectations.
  • Sustainability: Has established public-facing sustainability initiatives, focusing on transparency in its supply chain and using more sustainable materials.

Lululemon is the go-to choice for consumers who value technical fabric innovation, a timeless aesthetic, and are willing to invest in high-quality pieces that last.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Buff Bunny vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between the two brands is one of the most significant factors. Buff Bunny is considerably more budget-friendly. With leggings in the $50-$80 range and frequent sales, it brings performance activewear to a wider audience. This pricing makes it easier to build a varied collection of workout clothes for different moods and activities.

Lululemon commands a premium price, with most leggings starting at $98. The cost reflects their investment in proprietary fabric research, high-end construction, and brand prestige. While more expensive, many shoppers justify the cost with the products' outstanding longevity and comfort.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality activewear, but their material focus differs. Buff Bunny creates durable, squat-proof items with excellent compression and moisture-wicking capabilities geared toward high-impact workouts. The fabrics feel substantial and are built to perform.

Lululemon is a fabric innovator, with signature materials like Nulu™ (for the Align™ pants) known for its unparalleled softness and Nulux™ for its weightless, sleek feel. The longevity of Lululemon's fabrics is a key selling point, garments often retain their shape, color, and texture years after purchase, even with regular washing and wear.

Style & Aesthetic

Style is where the brands diverge most clearly. Buff Bunny embraces bold expression. Their collections often feature vibrant colors, unique patterns, and distinct design details like strategic cutouts and intricate back straps. It's for the person who wants to make a statement at the gym and loves staying on top of fitness fashion trends.

Lululemon's aesthetic is minimalist, modern, and understated. They focus on clean lines, classic colors, and versatile silhouettes that easily transition from a yoga class to running errands. Their pieces are designed to be timeless wardrobe items rather than seasonal, trend-driven items.

Fit & Sizing

Buff Bunny has made inclusivity a core part of its mission, offering an impressive size range from XS to 3X. This commitment ensures more women can find activewear that fits well. However, because styles vary so much between collections, some customers report that the fit can be inconsistent, making it important to review the size guide for each new item.

Lululemon is known for its highly consistent sizing. A customer who wears a size 6 in Wunder Train leggings can confidently buy the same size in Align™ pants. While their standard size range (0-20) is less expansive than Buff Bunny's on the upper end, its reliability makes online shopping more predictable.

Shopping Experience

As a direct-to-consumer brand, Buff Bunny's shopping experience is exclusively online. Its website is engaging and community-focused, with collection drops that generate significant excitement. Shipping is fast, and customer service is generally reported as helpful and positive.

Lululemon offers a polished omnichannel experience, with a sleek e-commerce site and physical stores worldwide. The in-store experience is a major part of their brand, with trained "Educators" offering personalized recommendations and fit advice. Their return policy is also known for being consumer-friendly.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands create excellent activewear, but they are designed for different shoppers with different priorities.

Choose Buff Bunny if:

  • You love workout clothes with bold colors, bright patterns, and trendy designs.
  • You want high-quality performance gear at a more affordable, mid-range price point.
  • Size inclusivity is important to you, and you need sizes beyond an XL or 20.
  • You enjoy the excitement of new, themed collection drops and hunting for a good deal during sales.

Choose Lululemon if:

  • You prefer a timeless, minimalist style with clean lines and classic colors.
  • You are willing to invest in premium fabrics known for exceptional softness, comfort, and durability.
  • Consistent, true-to-size fit is your top priority for predictable online shopping.
  • You value a polished shopping experience, both online and in-store, with excellent customer service and flexible returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buff Bunny or Lululemon cheaper?

Buff Bunny is significantly cheaper than Lululemon. Leggings are generally in the $50-$80 range, while Lululemon leggings start at $98 and go up from there, making Buff Bunny a much more budget-friendly option.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer excellent quality for their respective price points. Buff Bunny is durable and built for performance. However, Lululemon is widely considered to have superior quality due to its proprietary technical fabrics and meticulous construction, which contribute to the products' longevity.

Is Buff Bunny sizing similar to Lululemon?

Not exactly. Lululemon is known for being very consistent and true-to-size. Buff Bunny's sizing can vary between collections and fabrics, and some find it runs slightly small. It's always best to check the specific size chart for the exact Buff Bunny item you are buying.

Does Buff Bunny ever go on sale?

Yes, Buff Bunny has sales quite frequently, especially around holidays, and also offers bundle deals. Lululemon sales are far less common, their discounted items are typically found only in the "We Made Too Much" section of their website.

Which brand is better for intense workouts?

Both are excellent for high-performance exercise. Buff Bunny leggings offer great compression and are reliably squat-proof. Lululemon's product line includes specific fabrics for different activities, for example, their Everlux™ fabric is engineered for high-sweat training and dries very quickly.

Which brand is more size-inclusive?

Buff Bunny is more size-inclusive. With a typical size range from XS to 3X, they cater to a broader range of body types compared to Lululemon's standard 0-20 sizing.