Mandala vs. Fabletics: Which brand is better? [2026]

Mandala is an activewear brand focused on high-quality, sustainable materials and unique, artistic designs, typically at a mid-range price point. Fabletics, on the other hand, prioritizes affordability and trendy styles, using a subscription model to offer a wide variety of modern athleisure at a lower cost.

Let's compare everything you need to know to decide which brand best fits your style, budget, and values.

Mandala: The Artistic & Sustainable Activewear Choice

Mandala serves the health-conscious consumer who wants their activewear to be both a style statement and an ethical choice. The brand is built on a foundation of sustainability, using eco-friendly fabrics and manufacturing processes to create vibrant, artistic collections. Their target customer isn't just looking for functional workout gear, they want unique pieces that express individuality and align with their environmental values.

• Product mix: A complete range of activewear including leggings, sports bras, tank tops, hoodies, and matching accessories.
• Price point: Mid-range, with most apparel priced between $50 and $120. Leggings typically hover around the $80-$100 mark.
• Quality & Materials: A primary focus on sustainable, high-quality fabrics like recycled polyester and organic cotton. The construction is durable and designed for both comfort and longevity.
• Style & Aesthetic: Vibrant, expressive, and artistic. Known for bold, unique patterns and a rich, colorful palette that stands out from typical activewear.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers inclusive sizing from XS to 3X. The fit is generally praised as being true to size and designed to flatter various body types comfortably.
• Sustainability & Ethics: The brand's core mission. They transparently use eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing, appealing to environmentally conscious shoppers.

Mandala is ideal for those who are willing to invest more in high-performance, eco-conscious activewear featuring truly distinctive designs.

Shop Mandala: mandala.com

Fabletics: The Affordable & Trendy Athleisure Giant

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics disrupted the activewear market with its subscription-based VIP membership and trendy, accessible styles. The brand targets a broad audience looking for fashionable workout and athleisure wear at a very competitive price. Their business model encourages frequent shopping with new collections dropping monthly, keeping their product line fresh and aligned with current trends.

• Product Mix: An extensive selection of leggings, sports bras, tops, outerwear, loungewear, and men's activewear. They also collaborate on collections with celebrities and influencers.
• Price Point: Budget-friendly, with most items ranging from $25 to $70 for non-members. VIP members often get outfits (2-3 pieces) for as low as $59, representing a significant discount.
• Quality & Materials: Good for the price, utilizing standard polyester and spandex blends with an increasing incorporation of recycled materials. The focus is on style and affordability over long-term, high-intensity durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: Modern, sleek, and highly versatile. Designs range from minimalist solids to trendy prints, all created to be functional for the gym and stylish for everyday wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Highly inclusive, with sizing options typically running from XXS to 4X. The brand provides a quick quiz to help shoppers find their ideal fit right away.
• Shopping Experience: Primarily driven by its flexible VIP membership model, which offers perks and deep discounts. Fabletics also has an expanding network of physical retail stores.

Fabletics is the go-to for shoppers who want to build a large and varied activewear wardrobe without a high budget, prioritizing trendiness and value.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Mandala vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price Comparison

The most significant difference between the two brands lies in price. Fabletics is the clear winner for budget-conscious shoppers. With their VIP membership, you can often get a complete two-piece outfit for under $60, a price point where you might only get a single pair of leggings from Mandala. Single items on Fabletics typically range from $25-$70.

Mandala operates in a mid-range market, with prices for leggings between $80-$100 and sports bras around $50-$60. This higher price reflects their investment in sustainable materials, ethical production, and higher-quality construction. While Fabletics focuses on offering maximum value through volume and discounts, Mandala's value proposition is in durability and eco-friendly design.

Quality & Materials

Mandala's commitment to sustainability directly influences its material choices. The brand uses high-quality recycled polyester, organic cotton, and eco-conscious dyes that result in a durable, soft, and high-performance fabric feel. This focus on premium materials means their apparel often holds its shape and color better over time, withstanding many workouts and washes.

Fabletics produces good-quality activewear for its price. Their fabrics are comfortable and effective for most workouts, but they are generally standard poly-blends engineered for cost-effectiveness. While they are making strides to incorporate more recycled content, their primary focus remains on delivering a fashionable product affordably. For high-intensity, frequent use, Mandala’s materials may offer better long-term durability.

Style & Aesthetic

Your choice here will come down to personal style preference. Mandala caters to those who want to stand out with unique, artistic, and colorful patterns. Their aesthetic is expressive and bold, often appearing like wearable art. It’s perfect for someone tired of the standard solid-color leggings found elsewhere.

Fabletics focuses on what's current and trendy. Their collections feature a wide mix of sleek, modern designs, minimalist solids, and popular prints like animal and camo. Because they release new styles every month, they are always on-trend and offer a huge variety. Their look is versatile, designed to transition smoothly from a spin class to grabbing coffee.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands have made inclusivity a priority and receive positive feedback for their size ranges. Mandala offers sizes from XS to 3X, with styles praised for being flattering and true to size. They provide detailed size guides to help ensure a correct fit.

Fabletics has a slightly wider range, extending from XXS to 4X. Their signature "fit quiz" helps personalize recommendations, and their material composition - often featuring PowerHold or Motion365 fabrics - is engineered to compress and sculpt. Both brands are strong choices for shoppers looking for activewear that supports a wide range of body types.

Shopping Experience

The shopping experiences are fundamentally different. Mandala offers a traditional, straightforward E-commerce model. You visit the site, choose your items, and check out. It's simple, direct, and doesn't require any long-term commitment.

Fabletics is built around its VIP subscription. To get the best prices, you sign up for a monthly membership where you are charged a "member credit" which you can use for an outfit. You have the option to skip the charge each month. This model is excellent for those who shop for new activewear regularly but can be a hassle for those who forget to skip. Fabletics also has the advantage of physical stores where you can try on items.

Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability is at the very core of Mandala's brand identity. They are transparent about their use of recycled fabrics, focus on small-batch production to reduce waste, and prioritize ethical manufacturing. For a consumer where environmental impact is a key decision-making factor, Mandala is a standout choice.

Fabletics has been working to improve its sustainability practices, increasing its use of recycled polyesters and implementing water-saving dye techniques. However, its business model, which encourages frequent consumption and is rooted in fast-fashion principles, inherently clashes with a sustainability-first mission. This is an area where Mandala has a very clear advantage.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent products, but they cater to very different priorities.

Choose Mandala if:

• You prioritize shopping from sustainable and ethical brands.
• You love bold, artistic, and unique designs that help you stand out.
• You are willing to invest more for high-quality, durable materials that will last for years.
• You prefer a simple, non-subscription shopping experience.

Choose Fabletics if:

• You are shopping on a tight budget and want the most value for your money.
• You like keeping up with the latest athleisure trends and refresh your wardrobe frequently.
• You appreciate the convenience and deep discounts of a membership model.
• You need an extensive size range and want access to in-person stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mandala or Fabletics cheaper?

Fabletics is significantly cheaper, especially for VIP members who can get full outfits for as little as $59. Mandala is a mid-range brand with leggings often priced over $90.

Which brand is better quality?

Mandala generally offers higher quality products due to its focus on premium, sustainable materials and durable construction. Fabletics provides good quality for its price point but is not engineered for the same level of longevity.

Does Mandala have a subscription like Fabletics?

No, Mandala operates on a traditional direct-to-consumer sales model. You simply buy what you want, when you want, without any membership commitment.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Mandala is the more sustainable brand. Sustainability is a core tenet of their business, reflected in their materials, production processes, and transparency. Fabletics is improving but does not prioritize it to the same degree.

How does sizing run for each brand?

Both brands generally run true to size. Mandala offers XS-3X, and Fabletics offers XXS-4X. Fabletics offers a fit quiz, which can be helpful for new customers.

Is Fabletics VIP membership worth it?

If you purchase new activewear at least a few times a year, the VIP membership offers substantial savings that make it worthwhile. However, if you're an infrequent shopper, you must remember to "skip the month" to avoid being charged.

Which brand is better for high-intensity workouts?

While both are suitable for most exercises, Mandala’s higher-quality fabrics may offer better durability and performance for very frequent, high-intensity training. Fabletics is great for a wide range of activities from yoga and pilates to gym sessions and running.

Can you shop at Fabletics without a membership?

Yes, you can purchase items from Fabletics as a guest, but the prices will be significantly higher than the VIP member prices.