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

Onzie is known for its bold, vibrant designs and budget-friendly prices, appealing to fashion-forward consumers who want their activewear to make a statement. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium brand focused on high-performance, technical fabrics and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, positioning its products as long-term investments for serious athletes.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your needs.

Onzie: The Bold & Budget-Friendly Activewear Brand

Onzie is a Los Angeles-based activewear brand that has built a following with its eye-catching prints and accessible price points. With roots in yoga and dance, their collections feature a youthful, energetic style with unique cutouts and bright patterns. The brand appeals to those who want functional, stylish pieces without a premium price tag, making fashion-forward activewear attainable for a broader audience.

• Product mix: A wide range of leggings, sports bras, tops, and loungewear known for unique, often limited-edition prints and trendy designs.
• Price point: Very accessible. Leggings are typically priced between $40 and $70, with sports bras ranging from $20 to $40.
• Quality: Made from comfortable, sustainable, and moisture-wicking fabrics that are great for workouts and casual wear. While respected for its price, durability might not match premium competitors after extensive use.
• Style: Bold, expressive, and youthful. If you want to stand out at the gym or studio, Onzie’s vibrant patterns and fashionable cutouts are a perfect fit.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run slightly small in some styles. It's wise to consult their sizing chart before making a purchase to ensure the best fit.
• Sustainability: The brand often uses eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester, in its garments.

Onzie is an excellent choice for shoppers who prioritize style and affordability, offering trendy and expressive activewear for yoga, dance, and everyday life.

Shop Onzie: onzie.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Performance

Lululemon is a globally recognized activewear powerhouse known for its high-quality, technical gear. The brand has become synonymous with a 'look,' combining performance and a polished, minimalist style that transitions effortlessly from the studio to the street. Lululemon focuses heavily on fabric innovation, creating proprietary materials that offer specific benefits for activities like yoga, running, and training.

• Product mix: A comprehensive line of activewear for men and women, covering everything from yoga and running to training and golf, plus a growing collection of casual wear.
• Price point: Positioned as a premium brand. Leggings generally cost between $98 and $128, while sports bras range from $48 to $68.
• Quality: Exceptional. Lululemon is famous for its durability and materials that retain their shape, color, and performance features through countless workouts and washes.
• Technology/Innovation: Lululemon's reputation is built on its proprietary fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ (used for Align leggings), supportive Luon™, and sweat-wicking Everlux™. You can learn more about their range of fabrics and what workouts each works best for over on their website.
• Style: Sleek, minimalist, and versatile. The aesthetic focuses on clean lines, flattering silhouettes, and a largely neutral color palette, making items easy to wear outside the gym.
• Sizing/Fit: Consistently true to size. The brand offers a precise fit designed to support movement, with options for different inseam lengths.

Lululemon is the go-to for those who view activewear as an investment in performance, comfort, and long-lasting quality.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Onzie vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Onzie is firmly in the affordable camp, with most leggings priced under $70 and sports bras often below $40. They also run frequent sales, making their already accessible prices even more attractive. This approach makes it easy for shoppers to build a varied activewear wardrobe without a major financial commitment.

Lululemon operates in the premium market space, and its prices reflect that. Leggings starting at $98 are a typical entry point. While an initial investment, many customers find the price justified by the superior fabric technology, durability, and a fit that doesn't sag or lose its shape over time. Sales are less frequent, though their "We Made Too Much" section offers markdowns on overflow product.

Quality & Materials

Onzie uses high-quality, comfortable fabrics that are moisture-wicking and flexible. They offer a decent amount of compression and are very breathable, popular especially in hot yoga studios. Quality is solid for the price, but they may not withstand the same level of wear and tear over several years as a Lululemon piece might.

Lululemon's core differentiator is its materials. Proprietary fabrics like Nulu™, Everlux™, and Luxtreme™ are engineered for specific feelings and performance outcomes - whether it's a weightless feel for yoga or high-compression support for running. This investment in R&D results in garments that last for years, resist pilling, and maintain their supportive structure exceptionally well, cementing their reputation for quality.

Style & Aesthetic

Onzie’s style is bright, bold, and unapologetically expressive. The brand drops new prints and patterns constantly, from leopard and camo to abstract art and florals. It’s for the person who sees workout clothes as another avenue for self-expression and enjoys having fun with their look.

Lululemon’s aesthetic is refined, athletic, and minimalist. They favor solid, often muted colors and classic silhouettes that are timeless. The focus is less on trend-driven patterns and more on a polished look that feels just as appropriate for grabbing coffee as it does for hitting the gym. Retailers like REI even highlight Lululemon's ability to seamlessly match with hiking and outdoor lifestyle apparel.

Fit & Sizing

Onzie sizing can be a little less consistent. Many customers suggest that their items, particularly bottoms, can run small, so it's often a good idea to size up if you're between sizes or refer to reviews and their size chart closely. The fabric offers good stretch, but the initial fit can be snug.

Lululemon is known for its consistent, true-to-size fit. Their garments are designed to move with the body, almost like a second skin. They also excel at offering multiple inseam lengths for their popular legging styles, ensuring a near-custom fit for people of different heights, which is a major advantage for shoppers.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you prioritize in your activewear. Both brands are great at what they do, but they serve very different customers.

Choose Onzie if:

• You have a smaller budget or want to buy multiple outfits for the price of one Lululemon pair of leggings.
• You love expressing your personality with vibrant colors and bold, unique prints.
• You primarily do yoga, dance, or studio classes and want fun, fashionable gear.
• You want comfortable, stylish pieces for casual wear and aren't focused on intense, high-impact training.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You are focused on long-term durability and see your activewear as a performance investment.
• You are a runner or do high-impact training and need technical features like compression and advanced moisture-wicking.
• You prefer a minimalist, versatile style that seamlessly transitions from the gym to everyday activities.
• A consistent, true-to-size fit is critical for you, and you appreciate options like different inseam lengths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onzie or Lululemon cheaper?

Onzie is significantly cheaper. Onzie's leggings range from $40-$70, while Lululemon's leggings typically start at $98 and can go up to $128 or more.

Which brand has better quality?

Lululemon is widely recognized for having superior quality and durability due to its investment in proprietary technical fabrics. While Onzie offers good quality for its price point, Lululemon's products are engineered to last a lot longer under heavy, frequent use.

Does Onzie run small?

Yes, many users find that Onzie can run slightly small, especially their leggings. It's often recommended to check the specific product's sizing guide or size up if you are between sizes.

What is Lululemon known for?

Lululemon is best known for its premium yoga leggings, particularly the Align collection made from the buttery-soft Nulu™ fabric. The brand has built its reputation on engineering high-performance materials that provide a unique combination of comfort, support, and a flattering fit.

Is Onzie a sustainable brand?

Onzie makes an effort towards sustainability by frequently using eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester in their garments. They are a good choice for shoppers looking for a more conscious purchase at an affordable price.

Which brand is better for yoga?

Both brands have strong roots in yoga. Onzie is popular in the hot yoga community for its breathability and bold styles. Lululemon built its empire on yoga pants, and their Nulu fabric provides a "naked" sensation that many yogis love. The best choice is a matter of personal preference: affordable style (Onzie) versus high-performance feel (Lululemon).

Where can I buy Onzie?

Onzie is sold directly on their website, onzie.com, as well as at various online retailers. You can also occasionally find pieces at major retailers like Nordstrom or in specific yoga studios.

Does Lululemon ever have sales?

Full-blown sales events are rare at Lululemon, but they have a permanent section on their website called "We Made Too Much" where you can find items at a reduced price year-round. These are final sale items, however, so be sure of your size before purchasing.