Virgin Media’s M125 broadband offers an average download speed of 132 Mbps and upload speed of 20 Mbps. In the current broadband market, that’s enough bandwidth to comfortably handle streaming services, online gaming, remote working, and smart home gadgets without noticeable slowdowns. But does it actually deliver consistent performance in real-world conditions? Here’s what our testing shows—and whether M125 is worth your money in 2025.
Pricing and What You Get
The M125 plan costs £22.99 per month on a 24-month contract. Virgin often sweetens the deal by throwing in a promotional bill credit (around £90–£100), effectively reducing your initial broadband bills for the first few months.
The catch here is the price jump once your contract ends, typically rising to around £54 per month. To avoid this steep increase, you need to either renegotiate your contract or switch providers as your term ends.
For anyone looking for more flexibility, Virgin also offers a rolling 30-day plan. However, at roughly £38.99 per month plus a £35 activation fee, this route isn’t budget-friendly unless you’re staying somewhere short-term.
Actual Speeds
Virgin advertises an average download speed of 132 Mbps, and our tests suggest that’s realistic. At quieter times, speeds typically sit around 135–138 Mbps. Even at peak hours (around 8–10 pm), download speeds hold steady near 128 Mbps, delivering high average throughput ideal for streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ in 4K.
| Speed | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Download Speed | 132 Mbps advertised 135–138 Mbps during quiet times 128 Mbps at peak hours (8–10 pm) Suitable for 4K streaming (Netflix, Disney+) |
| Average Upload Speed | 20 Mbps Good for file sending, standard-res video uploads, HD video calls Upload ceiling may limit large uploads or livestreaming |
Upload speeds hover reliably around 20 Mbps, sufficient for everyday tasks such as sending files, uploading standard-resolution videos, or participating in HD video calls. But this is the plan’s main weak spot: if your work or hobbies involve regularly uploading large video files or livestreaming, you’ll quickly hit this upload ceiling.
Latency and Connection Stability
Latency, or ping, is another area where Virgin Media generally performs well. Our ping tests consistently returned values between 15 and 25 milliseconds, which is comfortably low enough for smooth gaming sessions and seamless video calls. Packet loss and jitter rarely cause noticeable problems, meaning stable Wi-Fi coverage and reliable broadband quality even in busy evening hours.
Virgin Media provides a minimum download speed guarantee of 66 Mbps. This gives you a safety net; if speeds fall below this benchmark and Virgin can’t fix it, you can exit the contract without penalties.
Virgin Media Performance Overview
Who’s M125 Actually For?
Virgin’s M125 is best suited to homes with around two to four regular internet users—typical family or house-share scenarios. It comfortably supports around 1 to 5 connected devices at once, handling streaming, browsing, gaming, and remote working easily.
But this broadband won’t suit everyone. If you frequently upload high-resolution video content, livestream regularly, or manage large cloud backups, you’ll soon find the upload speeds frustrating. In these cases, upgrading to Virgin’s faster plans like M250 or M350 (offering uploads of 25 Mbps and 36 Mbps respectively) is more practical.
Router and Wi-Fi Coverage: Hub 3 vs Hub 5
Virgin typically supplies the older Hub 3 router if you’re only getting broadband. The Hub 3 provides Wi-Fi 5 coverage (802.11ac), which is sufficient for average home usage, but can struggle with signal strength in larger houses or properties with thicker walls.
Choosing a bundle (like Volt packages or TV services) upgrades you to the superior Hub 5 router. The Hub 5 comes with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology, offering faster, more stable Wi-Fi connections, improved performance across multiple devices, and better signal reach. It also includes a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, making it more future-proof if you upgrade to higher broadband speeds later.
| Specification | Virgin Hub 3 | Virgin Hub 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Wi-Fi Performance | Sufficient for standard usage, can struggle in larger homes | Improved stability, faster speeds, better coverage for multiple devices |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 × 1 Gbps | 1 × 2.5 Gbps + 3 × 1 Gbps |
| Supplied With | Broadband-only plans | Volt bundles, TV bundles, and Gig1 plans |
| Mesh Wi-Fi (WiFi Max) | Optional (£8/month add-on) | Included with Volt & Gig1 plans |
| WiFi Guarantee | Available with WiFi Max (£100 bill credit if unmet) | Available with WiFi Max (free on eligible plans) |
If you struggle with Wi-Fi coverage in your home, Virgin offers the WiFi Max upgrade for an extra £8 per month, adding mesh Wi-Fi Pods to your network. This guarantees at least 30 Mbps Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home, and Virgin provides a £100 bill credit if this guarantee isn’t met. Volt and Gig1 customers automatically get WiFi Max included.
Installation
Virgin uses a simple self-install process called QuickStart for most customers. You receive your router and cables, and the Virgin Connect app guides you through setup. Most households can get online within 20–30 minutes.
If your home hasn’t had Virgin broadband before, an engineer visit will be arranged at no extra charge to install the necessary cabling.
TV, Landline, and Mobile Deals
Virgin makes it easy to add extras to your broadband package. You can bundle in TV (like the flexible Flex TV for around £5/month), home phone services, or the more comprehensive Volt packages, which offer broadband speed upgrades, mobile SIM plans, free Wi-Fi Pods, and additional roaming perks.
| Options | Description |
|---|---|
| TV (Flex TV) | A low-cost TV service, starting at about £5/month, allowing users to customise channels and entertainment packs as needed. |
| Home Phone Line | Landline services with flexible UK calling plans, available as part of your broadband deal if required. |
| Volt Package | Includes boosted broadband speeds, free mesh Wi-Fi Pods, a mobile SIM from O2, and added roaming features for travel. |
| Combined Billing | Ideal for O2 users — simplifies multiple services under one monthly invoice and often unlocks better bundle pricing. |
These bundles often add great value if you’re already a mobile customer with O2 or if you prefer having multiple services on one monthly bill.
How M125 Compares to Rivals
Looking at direct competitors, M125 comfortably beats BT’s Fibre 2 in both download speed (132 Mbps vs BT’s 74 Mbps) and price (£22.99 vs £31.99). Against Sky Superfast 150 and Plusnet’s Full Fibre 145, M125 offers similar download speeds but lower upload speeds (Sky and Plusnet offer around 30 Mbps upload).
| Provider & Plan | Download / Upload Speeds | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media M125 | 132 Mbps / 20 Mbps | £22.99 |
| BT Fibre 2 | 74 Mbps / 20 Mbps | £31.99 |
| Sky Superfast 150 | 145 Mbps / 30 Mbps | £29–£31 |
| Plusnet Full Fibre 145 | 145 Mbps / 30 Mbps | £29.99 |
| Vodafone Full Fibre 150 | 150 Mbps / 30 Mbps | £28–£30 |
| Community Fibre 150 | 150 Mbps / 150 Mbps (symmetric) | £25 |
If your usage is mostly streaming, browsing, gaming, and standard remote work, M125 remains a highly competitive and affordable option. But if uploads are a key priority, you might consider Sky or Plusnet for that extra upload bandwidth.
Network Coverage and Availability
Virgin’s broadband services currently reach around 65% of UK homes, primarily in urban and suburban areas. Most M125 connections use DOCSIS 3.1 via Virgin’s cable (HFC) network, offering good download speeds compared to standard fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) broadband providers. Virgin is also rolling out full-fibre (FTTP) through partnerships like nexfibre, gradually improving coverage and service reliability across the UK.
Pros and Cons: Is M125 Worth Choosing?
Pros:
- Consistent, reliable download speeds around 130 Mbps.
- Competitive initial pricing with promotional bill credits.
- Low latency, excellent for gaming and streaming.
- Easy QuickStart installation.
- Good bundle options and flexible upgrades.
Cons:
- Limited upload speeds (20 Mbps) can restrict heavy upload users.
- Sharp price increase after initial contract period.
- Slightly higher complaint volume reported by Ofcom compared to BT or Sky.
Final Verdict
Virgin Media’s M125 broadband package offers genuinely reliable performance at an attractive price point. It delivers fast download speeds ideal for streaming, gaming, and regular remote working, and the initial pricing with Virgin’s frequent promotional offers makes it especially appealing.
However, if you regularly rely on uploading large files, livestreaming, or other upload-intensive activities, the 20 Mbps limit might soon become a frustration, pushing you to consider higher broadband tiers.
Overall, for typical households needing solid broadband performance with consistently fast download speeds, Virgin M125 represents great value—provided you remain aware of the price increase at the end of your initial term and renegotiate accordingly.
FAQs – Virgin Media M125
Does M125 broadband come with a static IP?
No. Static IPs are limited to Virgin’s business broadband plans.
Can I move my M125 broadband if I relocate?
Yes, if your new address is within Virgin Media’s coverage area, you can transfer your broadband without extra fees or contract reset.
How energy-efficient is Virgin’s Hub 5 router?
The Hub 5 consumes about 6 Watts when idle, making it significantly more efficient than previous models like the Hub 3.
Does Virgin Media M125 broadband support smooth online gaming?
Yes. M125 consistently offers low latency (15–25 ms), suitable for responsive online gaming without noticeable lag.
Can I cancel if speeds drop below Virgin’s minimum guarantee?
Yes, Virgin guarantees a minimum of 66 Mbps. If speeds fall below this and Virgin cannot fix the issue, you can leave your contract without paying termination fees.