Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband Review

Virgin Media M250 offers 264Mbps download speeds, ideal for homes that need more than basic fibre but don’t require gigabit. It’s available standalone or with TV and mobile bundles, with optional add-ons like Volt and WiFi Max.

Below is a summary of the M250 deal:

• Download Speed: 264Mbps (average)
• Upload Speed: 25Mbps
• Contract Length: 24 months
• Monthly Price: £28.99
• Setup Cost: Free
• Technology: Cable (DOCSIS 3.1)
• Router: Hub 3 or Hub 4
• WiFi Guarantee: Optional with WiFi Max
• Promotions: bill credit (new customers)

Virgin Media Broadband Deals in Your Area

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M250 Fibre

Broadband Only

264Mb

Average speed

24 month

Contract

£28.99

Per Month

25Mb upload speed

Free setup

Exclusive: Includes £80 Bill Credit. Offer ends 23rd October

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M250 Broadband + Anytime Chatter

Broadband and Phone

264Mb

Average speed

24 month

Contract

£36.99

Per Month

25Mb upload speed

Free setup

Anytime calls to UK landline and mobiles

Get deal

M250 Broadband + Flex

Broadband and TV

264Mb

Average speed

24 month

Contract

£33.99

Per Month

25Mb upload speed

Free setup

Flex TV includes Stream box, 150+ TV channels and 1 month rolling contract

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M250 Student Broadband

Broadband Only

264Mb

Average speed

12 month

Contract

£29.99

Per Month

25Mb upload speed

Free setup

Cheapest price with flexible contract

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Who Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband is best for?

Virgin Media M250 broadband is a suitable option for UK households where three to five people are using the internet throughout the day. It provides enough bandwidth for HD streaming services, home working, and online gaming, all without the lag that usually comes with slower packages.

Students sharing an internet connection will also find the speed sufficient to handle lectures over Zoom while others in the house are gaming or downloading content.

M250 is also well suited for connecting multiple smart home devices such as speakers, cameras, and connected appliances. These devices add background traffic to a home network, and a plan like M250 has the bandwidth to keep them running consistently alongside everyday broadband use.

For households where large files are uploaded regularly—such as YouTube creators or people who back up to the cloud—M250 may be insufficient due to its 25Mbps upload speed. In those cases, one of Virgin Media’s faster packages like M350 or M500 will be a better fit. However, for the majority of families and shared homes, M250 delivers a reliable and cost-effective balance between price and performance.

Speed and Performance

M250 Fibre Broadband offers average speeds of 264Mbps for downloads and 25Mbps for uploads. Independent tests and Ofcom data confirm that real-world performance slightly exceeds these figures.

• Download Speeds: 264–272Mbps (24-hour average)
• Upload Speeds: 23–25Mbps
• Latency: 13–16ms (average)

Overall, M250 is great for HD and 4K streaming, large file downloads, multiplayer gaming, and remote work tools such as Zoom, Teams, and VPNs. It is also suitable for shared accommodation or family homes with 10+ devices online simultaneously.

Virgin Media M250 runs on coaxial cable network using DOCSIS 3.1 technology. It is not full fibre, but performance is comparable to many FTTP packages due to the short final copper run from cabinet to home.

Virgin plans to upgrade all cable connections to full fibre by 2028.

Virgin Media Hub3 and Hub 4

Virgin Media M250 broadband customers get either the Hub 3 or Hub 4 router. Both models come with dual-band Wi-Fi and support for up to 1Gbps wired connections.

While both are suitable for most households, the Hub 4’s advanced MIMO configurations and increased antenna count offer improved wireless coverage and stability, making it more suitable for households with higher bandwidth demands and multiple devices.

For users who need wider coverage or want to guarantee consistent speeds in every room, Virgin also offers an optional WiFi Max service.

Virgin Media Hub 3

• Wi-Fi Specification: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
• Antennae: 5 internal antennas
• 2.4 GHz Band: 2×2 MIMO
• 5 GHz Band: 3×3 MIMO
• Ethernet Ports: 4 x 1Gbps
• Additional Features: WPS push button, Intelligent WiFi, WiFi Pod compatibility, guest network support, and removable password/QR card

Virgin Media Hub 4

• Wi-Fi Specification: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
• Antennae: 7 internal antennas
• 2.4 GHz Band: 3×3 MIMO
• 5 GHz Band: 4×4 MIMO
• Ethernet Ports: 4 x 1Gbps
• Additional Features: WPS push button, Intelligent WiFi, WiFi Pod compatibility, guest network support, and removable password/QR card

WiFi Max Guarantee and Mesh Support

WiFi Max is an add-on offered by Virgin Media to improve wireless coverage throughout the home. It is priced at £8 per month or included at no extra cost with Volt bundles. This premium service includes a speed guarantee of at least 30Mbps in every room of the household.

If this guaranteed speed is not achieved in any part of the home, Virgin Media will supply WiFi Pods, which extend wireless coverage by creating a seamless network across rooms. These Pods connect wirelessly to the main router and help eliminate WiFi dead zones.

If the speed guarantee still isn’t met after the recommended number of Pods have been installed, customers are eligible to claim a £100 bill credit under Virgin Media’s WiFi Max Guarantee.

This add-on is especially useful in larger homes, older properties with thick walls, or multi-floor layouts where standard router coverage may not be sufficient. Both the Hub 3 and Hub 4 routers are compatible with WiFi Max and mesh technology.

M250 Volt

Virgin Media M250 is also available as a Volt bundle, which combines broadband with benefits from Virgin Media’s mobile partner, O2. This version of the plM250 Volt includes additional features not found in the standard M250 package and is designed for customers who use both Virgin Media and O2 services or want improved Wi-Fi coverage inside the home.

The M250 Volt package includes the following:

• A free 6GB O2 SIM, delivered separately
• Weekend calls to UK landlines
• Access to WiFi Max, including mesh WiFi Pods
• Double mobile data on eligible O2 plans
• Membership to O2 Priority, offering exclusive deals and early access to events

The M250 Volt bundle costs £3 more per month than the standalone M250 broadband plan. The inclusion of WiFi Max enhances wireless performance throughout the home, while the O2 benefits add value for customers looking to bundle mobile and broadband services. These perks are automatically applied once both services—Virgin broadband and an active O2 pay monthly SIM—are registered at the same address.

Virgin Media M250 vs M125 vs M350

Virgin Media offers a range of broadband packages tailored to different usage levels, and the M250 plan sits in the middle of the line-up. It delivers significantly faster speeds than the entry-level M125, while coming close in price to the higher-tier M350.

Comparing these plans side by side helps determine whether M250 offers the best balance of speed, price, and value, or if another tier is more suitable based on usage and number of connected devices.

M125 vs M250

Feature	M125	M250
Download Speed	132Mbps	264Mbps
Upload Speed	20Mbps	25Mbps
Monthly Price	£25.99	£29.99
Recommended For	Small households	Medium households

M250 offers double the speed of M125 for £4 more per month, making it a better fit for users with heavier data requirements.

Virgin Media M250 vs M125: M250 is a practical upgrade for households with more devices or video streaming needs.

M250 vs M350

Feature	M250	M350
Download Speed	264Mbps	362Mbps
Upload Speed	25Mbps	36Mbps
Monthly Price	£29.99	£29.99 (Promo)
Recommended For	5–10 devices	10+ devices

At the same promotional price, M350 provides better performance. However, router model allocation and location may influence final availability.

Virgin Media M250 vs M350: Check if M350 is available at the same price before choosing.

M250 vs Other Broadband Providers

Virgin Media M250 is one of the several mid-tier broadband options available to UK households, but it’s not the only choice. Other providers such as BT, Plusnet, Hyperoptic, and Community Fibre offer packages with comparable or faster speeds—often using full fibre technology that provides higher upload capacity.

Comparing M250 with similar plans helps customers determine whether it offers better value in terms of speed, features, and pricing.

Provider	Speed (Down/Up)	Price
Virgin Media M250	264 / 25 Mbps	£29.99
BT Full Fibre 300	300 / 50 Mbps	£30.99
Plusnet FF 300	300 / 50 Mbps	£30.00
Hyperoptic 250	250 / 250 Mbps	£29.00
Community Fibre	300 / 300 Mbps	£27.00

FTTP providers like Community Fibre and Hyperoptic usually offer symmetrical upload speeds, making them a better choice for users with high upload needs. However, Virgin Media M250 remains a good choice in areas where FTTP isn’t yet available.

Virgin Media broadband speed comparison shows M250 as competitive on download speeds, less so on uploads.

HD Streaming and Gaming

Virgin Media M250 offers enough bandwidth and reliability to meet the demands of a typical UK household. With average download speeds of 264Mbps and upload speeds of 25Mbps, it supports 4K streaming, large file downloads, and HD video conferencing—even with several devices connected simultaneously.

For gaming, M250 delivers reliable performance with average latency around 15ms, enabling smooth multiplayer sessions and voice chat across platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. While the upload speed is lower than symmetrical FTTP services, it remains sufficient for everyday tasks such as cloud backups, video calls, and light content uploads.

M250 is well-suited to households where users regularly stream in high definition, join virtual meetings, or access online learning platforms—without noticeable slowdowns.

Installation

Virgin offers two installation options:

• QuickStart: Self-installation using existing Virgin connections, typically active within 1–3 days.
• Engineer Visit: Free for new installations, scheduled within 7–14 days.

QuickStart is the standard option where available, reducing downtime during provider switching or home moves.

Virgin Media M250 broadband installation time varies based on infrastructure and location.

Contract

The M250 plan comes with an 24 month contract. From April 2025, all Virgin Media broadband plans include a fixed annual increase of £3.50, applied in April each year.

Customers exiting early will have to pay cancellation fees based on the remaining months. After the contract ends, the price reverts to the standard out-of-contract rate – currently around £60/month.

Availability

Virgin Media’s network reaches approximately 18 million premises, or around 65% of UK households. Coverage is strongest in urban and suburban areas. Properties not yet connected can register interest or await further rollout as part of Virgin’s upgrade programme.

Customer Support and Reliability

Virgin Media M250 offers reliable performance for most households. The network runs with over 99.9% uptime, and speeds usually stay consistent—even during busy evening hours. Most customers don’t experience major slowdowns or outages, especially in areas with strong Virgin Media coverage.

Support is available through live chat, phone, and the Virgin Media Connect app, which helps with checking signal strength, restarting the router, or running speed tests. However, customer service feedback is mixed. Some users report long wait times or difficulty getting billing or technical issues resolved.

Is Virgin Media M250 any good?

VVirgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband delivers a good balance of speed, pricing, and features. It offers reliable internet performance for medium to large households that need consistent speeds across multiple devices.

The package stands out for its fast download speeds, mesh Wi-Fi upgrade options, and wide network coverage. Its main drawbacks are lower upload speeds and mid-contract price increases. Users with upload-heavy requirements may prefer symmetrical FTTP services where available.

Suitable for:

• Households with 5 to 10 connected devices
• HD and 4K streaming
• Casual and multiplayer gaming
• Remote workers needing reliable downloads

Not ideal for:

• Users who need high upload speeds
• Users requiring symmetrical FTTP connectivity

Conclusion

Virgin Media M250 Fibre Broadband is a solid mid-range broadband option, offering strong download speeds and competitive pricing. While it doesn’t provide symmetrical performance, it delivers enough speed and stability for most UK homes. Customers should compare it with M350 or available FTTP plans to determine the best value for their usage and location.

FAQ

1. What speed does Virgin Media M250 offer?
It provides average download speeds of 264Mbps and upload speeds of 25Mbps.

2. Is M250 full fibre broadband?
No, it uses Virgin Media’s cable (DOCSIS 3.1) network, not full fibre.

3. How many devices can M250 handle?
It can support 5 or more devices streaming, gaming, or working online at the same time.

4. Is M250 good for gaming?
Yes, with around 15ms average latency, it offers smooth online gaming performance.

5. Can I stream in 4K on M250?
Yes, multiple 4K streams can run at the same time without slowdown.

6. What router comes with M250?
Customers get either the Virgin Media Hub 3 or Hub 4, both with dual-band Wi-Fi.

7. Can I upgrade my router to Hub 5 on M250?
Hub 5 is normally reserved for faster plans, so M250 usually comes with Hub 3 or Hub 4.

8. Does M250 include WiFi Pods?
No, WiFi Pods are part of the optional WiFi Max service or included with Volt bundles.

9. What is the contract length for M250?
It is sold on an 18- or 24-month contract, depending on the deal.

10. Are there price rises during the contract?
Yes, a fixed increase of £3.50 is applied every April.

11. Can students get M250 broadband?
Yes, Virgin Media offers student versions of M125 and M250 with 12-month contracts.

12. Can I add TV with M250?
Yes, the plan can be bundled with Virgin TV and phone services.

13. How does M250 compare with M125?
M250 offers double the download speed for only a small increase in price.

14. How does M250 compare with M350?
M350 has higher speeds, especially uploads, and is sometimes available at the same price during promotions.

15. Is M250 reliable during peak times?
Yes, Virgin Media’s cable network keeps average speeds close to advertised levels, even in the evening.

16. What happens if I cancel M250 early?
You must pay early termination fees based on the remaining contract months.

17. Where is M250 available?
It covers about 18 million UK premises, mainly in cities and towns.

18. Is bill credit available with M250?
Yes, new customers often receive bill credit when signing up through comparison sites.

19. Does M250 include a phone line?
It can be taken as broadband-only, or with a phone line if chosen as an add-on.

20. Who is M250 best for?
Medium to large households, families, or shared homes needing reliable broadband for streaming, gaming, and remote work.

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