Virgin Media M500 currently costs less than M350, despite offering 154Mbps faster downloads. Its 516Mbps average download speed is excellent for large file downloads, 4K streaming and online gaming, even when several people share the connection.
You also get 52Mbps upload speed, more than twice that of M250. However, if you regularly upload very large videos or work files, full fibre providers with symmetrical speeds may be better.
Key facts
| Detail | Virgin Media M500 |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 516Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 52Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download speed | 258Mbps |
| Network | Virgin Media cable or full fibre |
| Latency | 12.5ms median in Ofcom’s March 2023 cable tests |
| Router | Virgin Media Hub; model depends on connection |
| Annual price increase | £4 each April |
| WiFi Max | £8/month, or included with qualifying Volt packages |
| Add-ons | Virgin Phone, Virgin TV, Flex TV, Volt benefits |
Minimum speed guarantee
M500 has a minimum guaranteed download speed of 258Mbps to your Virgin Media Hub. This is half its average download speed. The guarantee covers the broadband connection reaching your Hub, not the Wi-Fi speed on individual devices.
If your speed drops below 258Mbps for three consecutive days and Virgin Media cannot fix the problem within 30 days of your report, you can leave without paying an early disconnection fee.
Price rises
Your M500 broadband bill increases by £4 every April. For example, if you start paying £25 a month, your bill will become £29 in April 2027 and £33 in April 2028, assuming both increases fall within your contract.
You can see how this compares with other providers in our broadband price rises guide.
Router
Virgin Media supplies a compatible Hub with M500. The Hub 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 and has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, while Hub 5x is designed for Virgin Media’s XGS-PON full fibre network. The router you receive depends on your connection and Virgin Media’s equipment allocation.
A standard Gigabit Ethernet port is already fast enough for the full M500 download speed. For wireless devices, Wi-Fi 6 can deliver excellent speeds, although performance depends on your device, distance and walls.
If coverage is poor upstairs or in bedrooms, WiFi Max can extend the signal using up to three WiFi Pods. Virgin Media guarantees at least 30Mbps in every room or a £100 bill credit, subject to its conditions.
Read our Virgin Media Hub 4 vs Hub 5 vs Hub 5x comparison to understand their features and differences.
Home phone
M500 can be ordered with Virgin Phone and a suitable calling plan. You can use a compatible home telephone connected to your Virgin Media Hub instead of a separate analogue phone line.
Virgin Media offers calling options such as Anytime Chatter for regular UK calls. You can usually transfer your existing telephone number when switching. Remember that calls through the Hub require power and a working broadband connection.
M500 + Virgin Media TV
M500 is excellent for households with several televisions. Its 516Mbps download speed can handle multiple 4K streams while other devices download files, browse or make video calls.
You can choose Virgin Media’s Entertainment, Cinema or Sport TV bundles with M500. These offer more than 200 channels, with premium entertainment, Sky Sports or Sky Cinema included according to the package. Current bundles use the Virgin Media Stream box, which supports 4K viewing and catch-up programmes but cannot record live TV.
If you do not watch premium channels regularly, Virgin Media Flex TV is another option. It offers more than 150 channels through a Stream box, with optional subscriptions that you can add or remove on a 30-day rolling basis.
Virgin Media M500 for gaming
Virgin Media M500 is ideal for serious online gaming and homes with multiple gaming PCs or consoles. Ofcom recorded median latency of 12.5ms for Virgin Media’s 516Mbps cable service in March 2023. This is excellent for responsive multiplayer gaming, although actual in-game ping depends on the game server and network conditions.
At 516Mbps, a 100GB game takes about 26 minutes to download, while a 40GB update takes just over 10 minutes under ideal conditions. The 52Mbps upload speed is also great for live gameplay streaming on Twitch or YouTube.
Several family members can play online simultaneously. However, downloads that use the entire connection can increase ping during gameplay. Connecting gaming devices through Ethernet and pausing large downloads during competitive matches can help.
Alternatives to consider
- Virgin Media M250 offers 264Mbps downloads and 25Mbps uploads. It is sufficient for most everyday streaming, browsing and gaming, particularly if you rarely download large files.
- Virgin Media Gig1 increases average downloads to 1,130Mbps and uploads to 104Mbps. It is worth comparing because the current price difference is small. See our Virgin Media broadband comparison for the latest deals.
- BT Full Fibre 500 offers 500Mbps downloads and 73Mbps uploads over the Openreach full fibre network. It is a good alternative if you want faster uploads.
- Vodafone broadband offers Full Fibre 500 with higher upload speeds on selected networks. CityFibre and Community Fibre connections can offer symmetrical uploads, depending on your address.