Virgin Media broadband router round-up 2024

Author: Jamie Kavanagh

Last updated: 07 February 2024

Virgin Media offers cable broadband to around 53% of mainland UK, as well as some of the fastest speeds you can get with a home internet connection. With up to 1Gbps broadband, you need an impressive router to keep up.

Fortunately, the Virgin Media Hubs are more than up to the task. With support for Wi-Fi 6, gigabit Ethernet, multiple wireless antennas and intelligent Wi-Fi capability, they are some of the most impressive ISP routers around.

This page provides an overview of all Virgin Media Hubs in the range, their capabilities, highlights, pros, and cons.

By the end, you’ll know everything you need to know about the Virgin Media Hub!

Virgin Media provides 4 different types of routers based on a similar design. They are the Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5 and Hub 5x. Each provides Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet, support for Wi-Fi 5 or 6 and intelligent Wi-Fi.

The models are a solid update to the old Virgin Media Super Hub coaxial router and offer faster speeds, higher download speed and reliable wireless signal.

Virgin Media Hub 3 and 4 were standard with all broadband packages until the introduction of the Virgin Media Hub 5 and 5x.

Now, all new customers will receive a Virgin Media Hub 5, with the 5x for new fibre to the premises customers in the future.

Do I get to keep my Virgin Media Hub after my contract is over?

No, you don’t get to keep your Virgin Media Hub after your contract finishes. It’s provided on loan and remains company property throughout your broadband contract.

Once your contract is over, you’ll need to request prepaid packaging to return the equipment. You can also request an engineer collect it if you prefer.

If you don’t return the equipment at the end of the contract, you’ll be charged.

Here’s a run-down of the latest fees you can expect to pay:

Is a Virgin Media Hub easy to set up?

Yes, a Virgin Media Hub is easy to set up. An engineer will often set everything up for new customers and will test and ensure connectivity during the visit.

If you’re an existing customer upgrading to a new hub, you’ll just need to plug it into the power and the cable socket, power on and wait for it to synchronise.

You should see a steady white light on the router once the connection is ready to use.

To connect to Wi-Fi, check the default Wi-Fi network name and password under the Virgin Media Hub.

You can also download the Virgin Media Connect app to manage your connection throughout your contract.

What’s the password for a Virgin Media Hub?

There are a couple of default passwords for Virgin Media Hubs depending on the age and model you have.

The first user username admin and password ‘admin’ or username ‘admin’ and password ‘changeme’.

We strongly recommend changing both the admin password and your Wi-Fi password from the defaults as soon as you set everything up.

If we know the default passwords, everyone knows them!

How can I improve the Wi-Fi signal of my Virgin Media Hub?

Virgin Media Hubs have good Wi-Fi coverage, but there are ways to improve performance.

• Position your router in the centre of your home: Wi-Fi uses radio waves broadcast from the router. The closer to the centre of your home the router is, the more areas of the property will receive a strong signal. Try to avoid placing it by thick walls, large appliances or other devices that use radio.
   
• Check the Wi-Fi channels: Wi-Fi separates radio frequencies into channels. It will use a default channel when first installed, which may be close to neighbour’s Wi-Fi or other devices. Use a mobile Wi-Fi analyser app to see which channels are in use and move your Wi-Fi to a quieter channel.
   
• Change Wi-Fi frequency. Virgin Media Hubs are compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. 2.4GHz has longer range, while 5GHz has more bandwidth but shorter range. 2.4GHz is ‘busier’ than 5GHz, so it may be worth trying to use 5GHz to get a better signal.
   
• Use a Wi-Fi booster. Wi-Fi boosters are small devices that plug into a wall socket and boosts your Wi-Fi signal. They are cheap, easy to set up and can help your wireless network reach further. Virgin Media offers Wi-Fi boosters, or you can buy your own.
   
• Use a mesh kit. A mesh kit is made up of a separate router and mesh repeaters that create a larger, more powerful network in your home. They are more expensive than Wi-Fi repeaters and involve more setup, but can provide a seamless network in even the largest home. Virgin Media Wi-Fi Pods work with mesh networks, or you could create your own.
   
• Use a powerline adapter. Powerline adapters turn your home’s electrics into a mini network. One end will plug into a wall socket and your Virgin Media Hub. The other plugs into a wall close to where you need it. Connect to it using a standard Ethernet cable and you have a hybrid cabled network.

For more information on how to improve sluggish Wi-Fi, you can check out our guides:

• ‘Intermittent or slow broadband? Troubleshooting connection problems’.
• 'Where's the best place to put a Wi-Fi router?'

Are Virgin Media Hubs good value for money?

Yes, Virgin Media Hubs are good value for money. All versions of the Hub are loaned free of charge to every broadband customer as part of your contract.

Virgin Media Hubs 3 and 4 are gradually being replaced by Virgin Media Hub 5 at no cost to customers.

The Virgin Media Hub 5x is for future use as it uses XGS-PON technology ready for 10Gb speeds and above. There are currently no details on extra costs associated with this router.

What are the standout features of the Virgin Media Hub?

All Virgin Media Hubs stand out for being an excellent option, even though they’re a default product from the ISP.

Typically, you would get everything up and running with the default router, then upgrade for faster Ethernet ports and stronger Wi-Fi.

There’s no need for that with the Virgin Media Hub.

All current versions support gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, which helps make the most of the impressive broadband speeds. The Virgin Media Hub 5x even has a 10Gbps port!

Wi-Fi coverage and signal strength is also impressive. So often a letdown with ISP routers, the Virgin Media Hub delivers solid speeds at impressive distances.

A free upgrade from Virgin Media Hub 3 or 4 to Virgin Media Hub 5 is an excellent option too. You’ll get Wi-Fi 6, great wireless range, Web Safe, F-Secure SAFE and parental controls.

Intelligent Wi-Fi capability is also built into Virgin Media Hubs. It can assess wireless strength and automatically boost it. It can also perform basic traffic control when multiple devices are connected.

Can I keep my Virgin Media Hub if I move or downgrade my broadband?

The Virgin Media Hub is provided on loan while you have an active broadband contract. If you move and keep your contract, you can keep your router.

If you’re a Virgin Media customer, you’re gradually being upgraded to Hub 5 routers, so there will be no need to downgrade if you opt for a cheaper option at renewal.

Can I replace a Virgin Hub with another router?

Yes, you can replace a Virgin Hub with another router, but we don’t think you’ll have to.

Unless you have specific requirements or need a non-standard function, the Virgin Hub 5 and 5x are easily good enough for most users.

If you do want to use another router, you can switch your Virgin Hub into modem mode and connect it to the WAN port of your new router.

Virgin Media Router Review: Expert Summary

Virgin Media not only offers the fastest broadband in the country (for now), but also offers some of the best broadband routers to connect to it.

Even the Virgin Hub 3 was a solid router, replaced by the Virgin Hub 4 and now the Virgin Hub 5.

Each delivers a reliable cable connection with decent Wi-Fi signal strength and impressive range. The new Virgin Hub 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 and delivers all the speed you’re likely to need from wireless.

There may be questions around the quality of other aspects of Virgin Media broadband, but there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to speed or the routers!

How do these routers offerings square up against other broadband providers? Find out with these other router round-ups:

• BT Broadband router round-up
• TalkTalk Broadband router round-up
• Sky Broadband router round-up
• Plusnet Broadband router round-up
• Vodafone router round-up
• NOW Broadband router round-up
• Three mobile home broadband router round-up