We’ll start by looking at the router you’ll get if you take out a package with speeds of less than 1 Gbps – you’ll probably get the Hub 3 router. We say ‘probably’ as this has varied in the past. However, on our most recent conversation with Virgin Media they have confirmed that the Hub 3 will be the router automatically selected for its M125 - M500 deals.
We’d also like to suggest that there’s no harm in asking for the next router up, the Hub 5 (not the Hub 4), if you’re a new customer signing up. As this is a significantly better option. Read on to find out more.
The Hub 3 is now the standard free router you’ll get with any Virgin Media broadband deal you sign up for that are slower than its premium Gig1 package.
Free with any Sky broadband contract: Whether you are signing up for M125 / M250 / M350 / M500, this router will be provided and comes at no extra charges.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ready: This router is part of the fifth generation (not Wi-Fi 6) in networking standards that supports higher data rates, allowing for quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive online gaming.
5 antennas: These built-in aerials help get a decent wireless coverage.
4 gigabit ports: The gigabit ports are 10 times faster than Ethernet ports, perfect for plugging devices directly in and gaming.
Dual band: This router can transmit on two different frequency bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Both bands offer different benefits and having these options means a more versatile and efficient network than a single-band router.
Clever app controls: It works with the Connect App. This excellent app allows you to share your network with a QR code (instead of giving away your password) and do things like pause the kids' iPads at bedtime.
Smart scan: The Hub 3 router uses intelligent Wi-Fi to reduce traffic by automatically finding quiet channels to use.
The Hub 3 is a decent enough router. It’s dual-band smart controls work in the background to assess wireless speeds and adjust any performance issues. The app controls it comes with is really useful, too. It allows you to share your network with a QR code (instead of giving away a password) and pause certain devices, especially useful for any children you’re wanting to get to bed. You can also use it to test Wi-Fi strength room to room and identify any signal blackspots.
Although the signal coverage is pretty good on the whole, its speeds can be disappointing, especially when further away from the router. It also doesn’t perform brilliantly under the stress test of adding lots of other multiple devices all competing for the internet.
And, there’s no ignoring the fact that this is a Wi-Fi 5 router. For those really wanting to future-proof and get the best performance out of high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming or online gaming, a Wi-Fi 6 compatible router like the Virgin Hub 5 would be a better choice.
We’re not going to go to the bother of doing a full spec for this one, because all you really need to know is that you shouldn’t be given the Hub 4 with any package now. And if you have this already, you can ask for a free upgrade to the Hub 5.
The Hub 4 was the first router given to customers signing up to its fastest Gig1 service back around 2020. However, quite quickly Virgin Media realised that it wasn’t quite up to the job. It turned out to not be fully Wi-Fi 6 compatible and couldn’t deliver the top speeds that the gigabyte package promised. The Hub 5 was developed instead and became the superior replacement.
What’s important to note is that Virgin Media didn’t automatically recall all the Hub 4s once the Hub 5 had became available, meaning some customers (the first to get Gig1) probably still have them without being aware they should have been upgraded. So, check your router and get in touch with Virgin Media customer services if you think this might apply.
Right, onto the next router – the Hub 5.
From around 2022, the Hub 5 is the free router you’ll get with its Gig1 broadband deal. With this package and router, you’ll also get WiFi Max for free. This is Virgin’s Wi-Fi guarantee of 30Mbps in every room and backed with signal-boosting mesh Wi-Fi pods (if needed).
Free with any Sky broadband contract: When you sign up to the Gig1 package.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology: Allows the router to communicate with all Wi-Fi 6-enabled devices. Offers faster speed and improved performance.
7 antennas: Enhanced built-in aerials help get better wireless coverage.
1 x 2.5Gbps & 3 x 1 Gbps ethernet ports: Plug devices in directly to its 2.5Gbps port to make full use of the 1130Mbps offered by Gig1.
Dual band: This router can transmit on two different frequency bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Both bands offer different benefits and having these options means a more versatile and efficient network than a single-band router.
Clever app controls: It works with the Connect App. This excellent app allows you to share your network with a QR code (instead of giving away your password) and do things like pause the kids' iPads at bedtime.
Smart scan: The Hub 3 router uses intelligent Wi-Fi to reduce traffic by automatically finding quiet channels to use.
WiFi Max: Virgin Media’s Wi-Fi guarantee comes free with this router/package and you’ll get £100 back if your Wi-Fi doesn’t perform as promised.
The Hub 5 router gives a much improved coverage and signal strength than the Hub 3. Its 7 – rather than 5 – internal aerials really make a difference. Plus, you get WiFi Max, Virgin’s Wi-Fi guarantee which is also accompanied by signal-boosting mesh pods (if needed) that are perfect for larger households.
It’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible and its super fast speeds will really benefit when using devices also enabled with this latest technology.
We love this router, we just don’t love that it only comes with the Gig1 plan.
Virgin’s other plans may not be gigafast, but they are all full fibre, fast broadband. The fact that they get the Hub 3, a router that is slower and doesn’t have Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, seems slightly baffling. We’re hoping that soon this article will become outdated and every plan taken will receive the Hub 5.
There’s one final router to talk about and that’s the Hub 5x. This information is only really of interest to anyone taking out the rather elusive Gig2 plan. If you haven’t seen the option for this insanely fast broadband package, it’s probably because you don’t have access to it.
This Virgin Media 02 partnership uses different technology – a full fibre network rather than Virgin’s coaxial cables – to bring you symmetrical download and upload speeds twice as fast as its next fastest Gig1 package. It’s currently only available to about 1 million premises.
When it comes to the router, there are only two differences from the Hub 5. The first is the network connection is XGS-PON, this is the name of the new technology its running on. The other Virgin Media routers are via DOCSIS 3.0, which is the name of Virgin Media’s coaxial network cable network.
The next difference is there is a 1 x 10 Gbps ethernet port, which means you can connect a device direct and experience 10Gbps speeds.
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