When it comes to comfortable leggings, the options are endless. From affordable to high-end, there’s undoubtedly no shortage of women’s legging choices across a variety of brands. That said, it’s no secret that not all leggings are created equal (I absolutely loathe the ones that refuse to stay in place). So, I set out on a mission to find the best affordable black leggings on the market. Naturally, I turned to Amazon Canada.

After scrolling through what felt like endless pages, I ordered four pairs that stood out to me, thanks to their low prices and thousands (yes, thousands) of glowing reviews.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve worn each pair as much as possible — during workouts, running errands and everything in between. Here’s my honest take on which ones I’d recommend to a friend.

What I like about them

Spoiler alert: Out of all four pairs of Amazon leggings I tried, the Sunzel Workout Leggings are, without a doubt, the softest. They feel like butter! They felt more like a second skin than a pair of pants, with their lightweight, smooth fabric and form-fitting silhouette. I enjoyed wearing them for casual outings and for doing chores around the house. They move seamlessly with me without slipping out of place.

Room for improvement

With their lightweight fabric, I wouldn’t say these are the best workout leggings. I just prefer a little bit more support while being active. On a similar note, this pair of leggings isn’t going to hide any lumps and bumps if that’s what you’re looking for.

What other shoppers are saying

These leggings have more than 33,500 reviews and are sitting at a 4.1-star rating. Shoppers agree that the fabric feels “buttery-soft” and that they’re “super comfortable.” Many reviews stated they’re “squat proof” and an alternative for more expensive pairs on the market.

Amazon Canada

What I like about them

I think these workout leggings just might be my new go-to gym pants. They feature a high-waisted waistband that provides extra support, and within the back of the waistband hides a little pocket. I stuck my car keys in there while on a walk, and they were still there when I arrived back at my car, which is definitely a plus. Overall, I found the fabric to be thick and supportive, and they did a great job wicking sweat. Plus, they didn’t move around too much during exercise.

Room for improvement

The waistband in the Amazon listing seems much longer than in real life, which is something to keep in mind. My only complaint is that the fabric bunches at bend points (the groin area and knees).

What other shoppers are saying

Nearly 7,000 people have reviewed these leggings, and they’re currently sitting at a 4.3-star rating. Most shoppers seem to be pleased with their purchase, with one sharing that they “beat the big names by far” and another boasting they’re the “perfect high rise for the tummy.” Multiple reviews shared that they appreciate how the fabric is thick and not see-through.

Amazon Canada

These workout leggings are great for wearing to the gym or on a hike. 

Pros

• Supportive
• Extra tummy support
• High-quality
• Squat-proof
• Sweat-wicking

Cons

• Extra fabric (slight bunching)

$32 at Amazon Canada

What I like about them

For just $20 (originally $24), I was eager to see if these leggings were any good. I was impressed with their thick, stretchy fabric that totally passed the squat test. I love that they feature large pockets on each leg that can easily fit my phone and other little essentials. I found them ideal for running errands and working out.

Room for improvement

Unfortunately, I found while wearing these leggings that I had to pull them up quite a bit because they kept sliding down — and that’s just not a good look. I also didn’t find them as flattering as the others.

What other shoppers are saying

This sporty pair of leggings has more than 2,500 reviews and is rated 4.4 stars. Shoppers say that they’re “a huge score for the price and quality” and “not see-through at all.” A lot of reviews said they were pleased with their thick fabric, but it was mentioned that they “fall down when walking.”

Amazon Canada

Shoppers say these leggings “fit great” and are “comfortable and soft.”

Pros

• Large pockets
• True to size
• Thick fabric
• Extra support

Cons

• Slides down
• Not super flattering

$23 at Amazon Canada

What I like about them

I had high hopes for these Amazon Essential Leggings, and overall, I’m happy to say that they didn’t disappoint. They feel high-quality, featuring a smooth yet sturdy fabric with a good amount of stretch. They’re comfortable during exercise and lounging around, and they have a tummy-control waistband.

Room for improvement

I found these to run relatively large. For reference, I usually wear a size large, so that’s the size I went with (for all four pairs). I think sizing down would give me that extra support and make them more flattering. It would also be an asset if they had some kind of useable pocket, as its only pocket is a tiny opening in the waistband.

What other shoppers are saying

These leggings have more than 2,000 reviews and a 4.2-star rating. Most customers are pleased with the quality for the price. One shopper shared, “Great quality, super soft leggings.” Another raved, “Love them, so comfortable and flattering.” Shoppers agreed that they run a bit large, with one reviewer sharing she sized down for the perfect fit.

Amazon Canada

I’m a big fan with the extra tummy support of these leggings. 

Pros

• Thick, stretchy fabric
• Stays in place
• Supportive waistband

Cons

• Lack of pockets
• Runs large

$25 at Amazon Canada

The verdict

After testing out four pairs of best-selling leggings on Amazon, I have some thoughts. My favourite pair is, without a doubt, the Sunzel Workout Leggings. However, I preferred them for lifestyle over working out. For running around and being active, I preferred the QUEENIEKE Workout leggings most, with the Amazon Essentials pair not far behind. I would probably pass on the Occffy pair, but they still weren’t bad, especially for their $20 price tag.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.