VIRGIN MEDIA VALUE FOR MONEY REVIEW
Virgin Media Broadband – is it good value for money?
For a lot of folk, choosing a broadband provider can come down to one simple question: Does Virgin Media provide good value for money? Here, we’ll be going deep on everything from what you get with your package, the cost of upgrades and extras, end-of-contract pricing stings, and a whole lot more.
Having trouble choosing a broadband provider?
No single best provider or package exists – only the best pick for you personally. Fibredog’s YourMatch™ system uses thousands of provider metrics and a lot of maths to find you your perfect match.
Virgin Media value for money scorecard
Six key areas. One overall score. All calculated using our transparent methodology.
What you get as standard
The features, equipment and services included as standard, before paid add-ons, premium tiers or optional upgrades are added.
Included router quality
How much value the included router adds to the package, including Wi-Fi standard, ports, coverage and overall hardware quality.
Annual price rises
How clearly annual price rises are explained, how predictable they are, and how much they add during the minimum term.
Cost of upgrades and extras
Which useful extras cost more, which are bundled in, and whether upgrades feel sensible or too easy to overspend on.
End-of-contract pricing
What happens when the minimum term ends, whether the price jumps, and how easy it is to avoid poor rollover value.
Service guarantees
The service guarantees, speed promises, compensation rules and fault protections that apply when the connection underperforms.
Fibredog Router Comparison Tool
Compare this provider's routers with each other, or with any other national provider.
Fibredog Annual Price Rise Comparison
See how much each of these provider's packages will go up every April and compare that to any other provider.
Fibredog Rollover Price Calculator
Tell us who you're with and what you're paying and we will tell you how much your price will go up when your contract ends.
Fibredog Speed Guarantees Test
Tell us who you're with and we will check if they're delivering you the minimum speed they promised.
Included router value
We have a complete, and extremely detailed review of Virgin Media's current two routers – The Hub 5 and the Hub 5x – where they're measured and considered on their own merits. Here we're revisiting them to look at them purely through the lens of the value (or lack of) they offer.
Solid, but not cutting edge
Wi-Fi 6, and dual-band
We actually admire Virgin Media for not falling into the trap of adding a bleeding-edge, Wi-Fi 7, tri-band router in exchange for an additional monthly payment. Some providers are doing either that, or offering such a router only if you plump for the top speed. Virgin Media is consistent here. What you see is what you get.
But that does mean Virgin is slipping behind
In not offering Wi-Fi 7 yet, routers from other providers, such as EE Broadband's very capable Smart Hub 7 Plus or monstrously powerful Smart Hub 7 Pro have Virgin's routers looking rather average. Not 'bad' by any stretch, just a bit 'meh' when compared alongside some.
The less you spend, the more value for money you're getting with Virgin's routers
That said, Virgin Media's lower-tier packages are cheap as chips these days, and they make these Hub routers look like very good value indeed. It's actually a shame, though, that Virgin doesn't offer a tri-band, Wi-Fi 7 beast on its highest speeds, because the speedier you go, the more difficult it becomes to harness all of it on the Hub 5 and 5x.
Sources: Virgin Media, Sagemcom
INTERACTIVE TOOL
Compare routers from any provider
This provider’s routers are pre-selected for comparison with one another. However, you can use this tool to compare any router from any major provider using the dropdown menus below.
| Feature | Choose router | Choose router |
|---|---|---|
| Fibredog rating | — | — |
| Router included as standard | — | — |
| Router manufacturer | — | — |
| Router model | — | — |
| Wi-Fi standard | — | — |
| Wi-Fi bands | — | — |
| 2.4GHz supported | — | — |
| 5GHz supported | — | — |
| 6GHz supported | — | — |
| Beamforming | — | — |
| Antenna count | — | — |
| Maximum connected devices | — | — |
| Stated coverage | — | — |
| Total Ethernet ports | — | — |
| MU-MIMO | — | — |
| OFDMA | — | — |
| WPA3 security | — | — |
| Guest network | — | — |
| Antenna type | — | — |
| Gigabit Ethernet ports | — | — |
| 2.5Gb Ethernet ports | — | — |
| 5Gb Ethernet ports | — | — |
| 10Gb Ethernet ports | — | — |
| WAN port speed | — | — |
| USB ports | — | — |
| Telephone ports | — | — |
| ONT Ethernet input | — | — |
| Coaxial input | — | — |
| Power connection | — | — |
| Mesh support | — | — |
| Provider mesh product | — | — |
| Third-party router use | — | — |
| Modem mode | — | — |
| Compatible broadband technology | — | — |
| App management | — | — |
| Parental controls | — | — |
| QoS | — | — |
| Automated QoS | — | — |
| Device prioritisation | — | — |
| Anti-bufferbloat controls | — | — |
| Manual queue management (SQM/CAKE) | — | — |
| Smart channel selection | — | — |
| Security features | — | — |
| Gamer mode | — | — |
| Game traffic prioritisation | — | — |
| Gaming QoS profiles | — | — |
| Server ping routing tools | — | — |
| Latency dashboards | — | — |
| Per-device gaming presets | — | — |
| Gaming VPN routing features | — | — |
| Work from home mode | — | — |
| Automatic firmware updates | — | — |
| Firmware update notes | — | — |
| Router height | — | — |
| Router width | — | — |
| Router depth | — | — |
| Router weight | — | — |
| Power consumption | — | — |
| Router orientation | — | — |
| Wall mountable | — | — |
| Router colour | — | — |
| Self-installation | — | — |
| Browser admin interface | — | — |
| WPS | — | — |
| Status light control | — | — |
| Reset button | — | — |
| Wi-Fi on/off button | — | — |
| Where would you like to go next? | See all tools | See all tools |
Virgin Media has two networks
Virgin cable areas
You get the Hub 5.
This is Virgin Media’s main network. If your street uses it, the Hub 5 is the router supplied.
Virgin Full Fibre (XGS-PON) areas
You get the Hub 5x.
Some newer areas use Virgin’s XGS-PON Full Fibre network. If your address is on that network, you get the Hub 5x.
Your address decides
You do not choose between them.
Virgin Media checks your address, then supplies the service and router that match the network available where you live.
Is the Hub 5 good value for money?
For most homes, yes, sure. The Hub 5 is included as standard on Virgin’s cable network, and it's good you're not being asked to pay extra for a decent router. It isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t give you Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, meaning it also doesn't give you the much, much faster 6Ghz Wi-Fi channel. But it does cover the basics well: Wi-Fi 6, dual-band, decent device capacity, four Ethernet ports, and the usual basic router controls.
The value question is really about whether you're getting it with a basic M125/M250-level package, or really pushing it to its limits on Gig1. On Gig1, the Hub 5 starts to feel like the weak link in the chain, unable to push all of its speed to a single device over Wi-Fi, and offering only one 2.5Gbps LAN port with which to get the full 1130Mbps average. So the value question is very two-sided here in all honesty.
Is the Hub 5x good value for money?
The Hub 5x is good value in the same slightly odd way: it’s included as standard, but only if you can get Virgin’s newer XGS-PON Full Fibre network. You don’t get to pick between the Hub 5 and Hub 5x at checkout. Rather, your address decides which network you’re going to be on, and the router follows on from that.
In terms of Wi-Fi, the two routers are identical. You still get Wi-Fi 6 and dual-band Wi-Fi, not tri-band Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. And that creates an actual problem if you're a little bit crazy and decide to go for Gig2. Because despite having a 10Gbps LAN port, which can easily send 2Gbps over a LAN cable, it's a very long way from being able to send anything close to that over Wi-Fi. You need a tri-band, Wi-Fi 7 router, and perfect conditions (low interference from other networks, walls and so on) to get even close.
Having trouble choosing a broadband provider?
No single best provider or package exists – only the best pick for you personally. Fibredog's YourMatch™ system uses thousands of provider metrics and a lot of maths to find you your perfect match.
Virgin Media Broadband add-ons at a glance
Virgin Media offers a few useful extras, but not every add-on is available, and most aren’t free. The main thing to watch is whether the bits you need are included with your package or added to the bill.
WiFi Max
Free with Gig1 and Gig2, but usually paid on slower packages if you need more Wi-Fi range around the house.
Landline and call packages
Not included as standard, so if you still need a home phone, price it in from the start.
Advanced Security
Essential Security is free, but Advanced Security is the paid version if you want extra protection and device cover.
Extra mesh pods
Once you have WiFi Max, extra pods won’t cost extra. Virgin will give you up to three on a need-by-need basis.
Premium router upgrade
There isn’t a paid premium-router option to bolt on. You get the router that comes with the package.
4G/5G broadband backup
Not available as a normal paid add-on right now, though Virgin Media has been testing backup-style options, maybe it’s coming soon.
Static IP or paid tech support
You won’t be adding either to a normal Virgin Media home broadband package since they’re not available.
You can't upgrade your router: Is that good or bad?
Virgin Media doesn’t offer a paid premium router upgrade. That’s good because you're not missing out, but it also means there isn’t an official upgrade path.
You’re not being upsold a better hub
Some providers charge extra for their best router. Virgin Media doesn’t, so you don’t have to wonder whether you’re getting a bum deal unless you pay more.
That keeps the package simpler. The router you get is the router Virgin expects you to have.
Gigabit Wi-Fi can still be hard work
Virgin’s current hubs are Wi-Fi 6, which is fine for lots of homes, but Gig1 and Gig2 are a lot to push over Wi-Fi.
To get close, you’d ideally want newer Wi-Fi 7 kit with 6GHz support. If that matters, you may end up having to use your own router.
What to do before your broadband deal rolls over
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Get your rollover number
Use the calculator above with your first full monthly bill, not the price after later rises.
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Find your end date
Check your contract, account area or end-of-contract email so you know the month the discount ends.
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Set a reminder
Put a reminder in your calendar before the end date, while you still have time to haggle or switch.
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Compare the alternatives
Look at current new-customer prices elsewhere, then use that number as leverage with Virgin Media.
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Act before rollover
Agree a new deal, switch provider or cancel in time. The expensive option is doing nothing.
You may be able to haggle it down
Virgin Media will let your deal roll onto a much higher price unless you do something about it. They won't phone up before the end of your contract and offer the best new price. It boggles the mind that most broadband providers don't proactively work with their customers to get them on a new, fairly priced contract. Imagine if they did that with your home insurance?
If your contract is ending, you can call and ask for a better deal. You may get passed around, asked whether you're thinking of leaving, or called back by a retentions team. Starting a switch to another provider can sometimes make that conversation more serious, because Virgin Media can see you're prepared to go.
Be ready to actually leave: Haggling can work, but it's not guaranteed. Sometimes Virgin Media will offer a decent retention deal. Sometimes they'll not even get close. The safest thing to do is to compare alternatives first, know the price you're willing to accept, and avoid relying on a last-minute rescue call.
How Virgin Media broadband service guarantees work in practice
A slow broadband complaint can fall under different service protections depending on what’s actually going wrong.
The problem
You’re paying for fast broadband, but the connection feels slow. Streams buffer, downloads crawl, or one room keeps dropping out.
Layer 1: the contract
Virgin Media’s contract gives you basic protection: They must provide the service with reasonable care and skill, maintain the network, and try to fix faults. But they don’t promise perfect performance.
Layer 2: the speed guarantee
If the broadband line itself is below your minimum guaranteed download speed, Ofcom’s voluntary code is the stronger protection. Virgin Media gets 30 days to fix it after you report it. If it can’t, you get to leave your contract penalty-free and shack up with a new provider.
Layer 3: the Wi-Fi guarantee
If the line is fine but Wi-Fi is weak in some bits of your house, WiFi Max is the relevant guarantee. It promises at least 30Mbps in every room, backed by up to three WiFi Pods, or a £100 bill credit if that still doesn’t fix it. WiFi Max doesn’t come as standard on most packages, though.
What this means
Virgin Media has more protection than the bare contract suggests, but each guarantee only covers a specific kind of problem. Slow line speed, poor in-home Wi-Fi and total service losses are treated differently to one another.
Having trouble choosing a broadband provider?
No single best provider or package exists – only the best pick for you personally. Fibredog's YourMatch™ system uses thousands of provider metrics and a lot of maths to find you your perfect match.
Some links on this page may earn us a small commission if you click through and buy. This never affects either what you pay, or our scores and recommendations. If, however, you’d rather bypass affiliate links, use this direct Virgin Media link instead.
