A 20GB game update can download in about 10 minutes with Virgin Media M250, provided the server can deliver the full speed. With 264Mbps average downloads, M250 is ideal for a family of four who stream 4K TV, play online games and work from home. However, its 25Mbps upload speed is much slower than the download speed.
Key facts
| Detail | Virgin Media M250 |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 264Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 25Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download speed | 132Mbps |
| Network | Virgin Media cable or full fibre |
| Latency | 14.8ms in Ofcom’s March 2023 cable tests |
| Router | Virgin Media Hub; model varies |
| Broadband usage | Unlimited |
| Annual price increase | £4 each April |
| Add-ons | WiFi Max, Virgin Phone, Virgin TV, Volt benefits |
Minimum speed guarantee
Virgin Media guarantees at least 132Mbps download speed to your Hub. If your speed stays below this for three consecutive days, you can report it to Virgin Media. If the problem cannot be fixed within 30 days, you may leave without paying an early disconnection fee.
Read our guide to leaving a broadband contract early for more details.
Price rises
Virgin Media increases your monthly bill by £4 every April during your contract. For example, a £25 monthly bill will rise to £29 in April 2027 and £33 in April 2028. You can also compare annual broadband price rises across UK providers.
Router
M250 comes with a Virgin Media Hub, with the model depending on your connection and the equipment supplied. The Hub 3 and Hub 4 support Wi-Fi 5, while the newer Hub 5 and Hub 5x offer Wi-Fi 6.
Virgin Media also offers WiFi Max for better coverage in larger homes. You can get up to three WiFi Pods if needed, with a guarantee of at least 30Mbps in every room or a £100 bill credit. WiFi Max is an optional paid add-on for standard M250 customers but is included with qualifying Volt packages.
Home phone
You can combine M250 with Virgin Phone if you still need a home telephone. Calls are made through your broadband connection, with the phone connected to your Virgin Media Hub. You can usually keep your existing telephone number and choose a calling plan, including Anytime Chatter.
M250 + Virgin Media TV
Virgin Media M250 is great for watching 4K television on several screens while other people use the internet. You can combine it with Virgin TV 360 on compatible cable connections to record live programmes, watch catch-up TV and access streaming apps.
Virgin Media Flex is another option if you prefer streaming. It comes with a Stream box and lets you add entertainment subscriptions on a rolling basis. Flex is also available on Virgin Media’s full fibre network, where TV 360 is not offered.
Virgin Media M250 for gaming
M250 delivers excellent performance for online gaming on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Ofcom recorded average latency of 14.8ms for Virgin Media’s 264Mbps cable service in March 2023, which is good for multiplayer gaming. Actual in-game ping depends on the server and network conditions.
The 264Mbps download speed can download a 50GB game in about 25 minutes or a 100GB game in about 51 minutes under ideal conditions. Several people can play online simultaneously while others watch videos or browse. A wired Ethernet connection is preferable for gaming, particularly if Wi-Fi interference causes changes in ping.
If you’re deciding between broadband speeds, our broadband speed guide explains what different households actually need.
Alternatives to consider
- Virgin Media M125 offers 132Mbps downloads, which is enough for smaller households with modest internet use. However, M250 is the better deal if both plans cost the same. You can compare them in our Virgin Media broadband review.
- Virgin Media M500 is ideal if you regularly download large games or share your connection with several heavy internet users. It also increases average upload speed to 52Mbps.
- BT Full Fibre 300 offers 300Mbps downloads and 49Mbps uploads. It is a strong alternative if you regularly transfer large files or back up data to the cloud.
- Vodafone broadband is also worth comparing. Its Full Fibre 500 plan offers faster downloads and potentially much faster uploads, depending on the network available at your address.