This detailed review of Virgin Media’s Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5, and Hub 5x compares these models by examining their features, performance, and upgrades, helping you choose the best router for your home network needs.
Virgin Media Hubs are an advanced router that provides faster speeds and more reliable connections. Its sleek design incorporates multiple antennas that spread WiFi signals more effectively throughout your home, significantly reducing frustrating dead spots where devices struggle to connect. This means you can enjoy consistent internet access, whether you’re in the living room, bedroom, or even the farthest corner of your home. Additionally, by supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, the Hub is versatile enough to accommodate different types of devices and their varying internet needs.
With the introduction of WiFi 6 technology in the latest Hub 5, Virgin Media has taken performance to the next level. WiFi 6 ensures faster, more stable internet speeds, even in busy homes where multiple devices are simultaneously connected. Whether you’re streaming high-definition content on your smart TV, playing online games, or using smart home devices, WiFi 6 helps eliminate congestion and ensures a more consistent online experience. This is especially useful for households with lots of devices—think smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and home automation gadgets—all of which demand reliable, high-speed connections.
Managing your home network has never been easier, thanks to the Virgin Media Connect app. The app acts like a personal tech assistant, allowing you to take control of your home network directly from your smartphone. Want to find out why your WiFi is slow? Simply run a quick scan to diagnose the issue. Need to limit your kids’ internet time? You can easily pause WiFi on specific devices with just a tap. The app works with recent Hub models, giving you more control over your home network.
If you run into any issues, the app offers live chat support from 8 am to 10 pm every day. So help is always just a few taps away, making managing your home internet simpler and more intuitive than ever.
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Feature | Hub 5x | Hub 5 | Hub 4 | Hub 3 |
Number of Antennae | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
2.4 GHz WiFi Band | 3x3 11b/g/n/ax | 3x3 11/b/g/n/ax | 3x3 11/b/g/n | 2x2 11/b/g/n |
5 GHz WiFi Band | 4x4 11ax | 4x4 11ax | 4x4 11ac | 3x3 11ac |
WiFi Spec | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Dual Band | Concurrent | Concurrent | Concurrent | Concurrent |
Network Connection | XGS-PON | DOCSIS 3.1 | DOCSIS 3.1 | DOCSIS 3.0 |
Ethernet | 1x 10 Gbps, 3x 1Gbps | 1x 2.5Gbps, 3x 1Gbps | 4x 1Gbps | 4x 1Gbps |
WPS Push Button | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Removable Password/QR Card | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Default SSID | Single | Single | Single | Single |
Guest Network Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Intelligent WiFi Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phoneline | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
WiFi Pod Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Hub 3 by Virgin Media is an older model in the lineup. It comes equipped with five antennae, which, while fewer than its successors, still provide a decent range for standard home use. The WiFi capabilities include a 2×2 configuration on the 2.4 GHz band and a 3×3 setup on the 5 GHz band, supporting the 802.11ac standard. This ensures that users experience stable and reasonably fast WiFi connections suitable for everyday internet activities like browsing, streaming, and online gaming.
One of the key features of the Hub 3 is its support for DOCSIS 3.0, a robust technology that enables high-speed internet over the existing cable infrastructure. While it doesn’t match the latest DOCSIS 3.1 or XGS-PON technologies found in newer models, DOCSIS 3.0 can still deliver speeds that satisfy most household needs. The Hub 3 includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing reliable wired connections for devices requiring stable and uninterrupted internet access. This makes it a versatile choice for homes with multiple devices, from smart TVs to gaming consoles and PCs.
Despite its age, the Hub 3 retains several useful features, such as a WPS push button for easy connection of devices, a removable password/QR card for quick network access, and support for a guest network. Additionally, it’s compatible with Virgin Media’s Intelligent WiFi technology and WiFi pods, which help to optimise the network and extend its range. For those prioritising budget and reliability over the latest technology, the Hub 3 offers solid performance with the essential features needed for a connected home.
Virgin Media Hub 4 was a significant upgrade on Hub 3 with enhanced features and improved performance. It comes with seven antennae and supports a 3×3 configuration on the 2.4 GHz band and a 4×4 setup on the 5 GHz band, utilising the 802.11ac standard. This combination ensures that users can enjoy faster and more stable WiFi connections, which are suitable for high-demand activities such as HD streaming, online gaming, and multiple simultaneous device connections.
One of the key features of the Hub 4 is its support for DOCSIS 3.1, a cutting-edge technology that enables ultra-fast broadband speeds. This advancement allows for higher data throughput and better handling of network congestion, making it ideal for households with heavy internet usage. The Hub 4 includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring that devices requiring stable, high-speed wired connections, such as gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktop computers, can operate without interruption. This makes the Hub 4 a versatile and future-proof option for modern homes with diverse internet needs.
In addition to its hardware improvements, the Hub 4 retains several features convenient to its predecessor. These include the WPS push button for easy device connections, a removable password/QR card for quick and secure network access, and support for a guest network to access visitors temporarily. The Hub 4 is also compatible with Virgin Media’s Intelligent WiFi technology and WiFi pods, which help to optimise the network and extend its coverage. Overall, the Hub 4 offers a substantial upgrade in performance and features, making it an excellent choice for users who need robust, high-speed internet connectivity and enhanced network capabilities.
The Hub 5 is a leap forward from previous models. Like the Hub 4, it has seven antennae and supports a 3×3 configuration on the 2.4 GHz band and a 4×4 setup on the 5 GHz band. But it goes further, fully embracing the 802.11ax (WiFi 6) standard. This means users can experience significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded network environments, perfect for 4K streaming, online gaming, and managing multiple smart devices simultaneously.
A key feature of the Hub 5 is its support for DOCSIS 3.1, enabling ultra-fast broadband speeds that far surpass those of DOCSIS 3.0 found in the Hub 3. The Hub 5 includes one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and three 1 Gbps ports, providing robust wired connections for high-speed internet access to various devices such as gaming consoles, smart TVs, and desktop computers. This makes it a versatile and future-proof option for homes with diverse and high bandwidth needs.
While they look very similar, the Hub 5x takes the advancements of the Hub 5 even further. In addition to seven antennae and support for WiFi 6, the Hub 5x introduces XGS-PON technology. This fibre optic technology offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, which significantly improves the DOCSIS 3.1 technology used in the Hub 5. This makes the Hub 5x particularly suitable for households requiring extreme internet speeds and bandwidth for activities such as ultra-high-definition video streaming, cloud gaming, and remote working with large data transfers.
Both the Hub 5 and Hub 5x maintain the user-friendly features seen in earlier models, such as the WPS push button for easy device connections, a removable password/QR card for secure and quick network access, and support for a guest network. They are also compatible with Virgin Media’s Intelligent WiFi technology and WiFi pods, optimising network performance and extending coverage. Compared to the Hub 4 and Hub 3, the Hub 5 and Hub 5x offer significant enhancements in speed, technology, and future-proofing, making them ideal choices for users who demand the best in-home networking solutions.
2000Mbps average download speed
200Mbps average upload speed
💳 Your Virgin Media Price:
£69.99 a month* for 18 months
Price from month 19 currently £84 a month*.
📦 Package Details:
Virgin Media WiFi Hub
Intelligent WiFi technology
2000 Mbps average download speed
200 Mbps average upload speed
🎁 Extra Benefits:
Access to perks and experiences with Priority
WiFi guarantee included at no extra cost and up to 3 WiFi pods if needed
1130Mbps average download speed
104Mbps average upload speed
💳 Your Virgin Media Price:
£41.00 a month* for 18 months
Price from month 19 currently £78 a month*.
📦 Package Details:
Virgin Media WiFi Hub
Intelligent WiFi technology
1130 Mbps average download speed
104 Mbps average upload speed
🎁 Extra Benefits:
Access to perks and experiences with Priority
WiFi guarantee included at no extra cost and up to 3 WiFi pods if needed
516Mbps average download speed
52Mbps average upload speed
💳 Your Virgin Media Price:
£33.00 a month* for 18 months
Price from month 19 currently £72 a month*.
📦 Package Details:
Virgin Media WiFi Hub
Intelligent WiFi technology
516 Mbps average download speed
52 Mbps average upload speed
🎁 Extra Benefits:
Access to perks and experiences with Priority
XGS-PON technology in Hub 5x provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, significantly enhancing performance for 4K streaming, cloud gaming, and large data transfers.
Hub 3 supports DOCSIS 3.0 and WiFi 5 (802.11ac) with five antennae. Hub 4 supports DOCSIS 3.1 and WiFi 5 with seven antennae. Hub 5 advances to DOCSIS 3.1 and WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with enhanced speed and performance. Hub 5x introduces XGS-PON technology for symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it the most advanced model.
Hub 3: 2x2 2.4 GHz (11/b/g/n) and 3x3 5 GHz (11ac).
Hub 4: 3x3 2.4 GHz (11/b/g/n) and 4x4 5 GHz (11ac).
Hub 5: 3x3 2.4 GHz (11/b/g/n/ax) and 4x4 5 GHz (11ax).
Hub 5x: 3x3 2.4 GHz (11/b/g/n/ax) and 4x4 5 GHz (11ax).
Hub 3: Four 1 Gbps ports.
Hub 4: Four 1 Gbps ports.
Hub 5: One 2.5 Gbps port and three 1 Gbps ports.
Hub 5x: One 10 Gbps port and three 1 Gbps ports.
Yes, all models (Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5, and Hub 5x) are compatible with Virgin Media’s WiFi pods to extend and optimize network coverage.
Yes, all models support guest networks, allowing visitors to connect to a separate, secure WiFi network.
DOCSIS 3.1, supported by Hub 4 and Hub 5, offers higher data throughput and better handling of network congestion compared to DOCSIS 3.0 in Hub 3. This results in faster and more reliable internet speeds.
Hub 3 has five antennae, while Hub 4, Hub 5, and Hub 5x each have seven, offering better WiFi coverage and performance.
Yes, all models come with Intelligent WiFi technology, which helps optimize the network performance and coverage.
Yes, all models (Hub 3, Hub 4, Hub 5, and Hub 5x) are equipped with a WPS push button, allowing for simple and quick connections of compatible devices.
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