Virgin Media Hub 5 vs Hub 4: Complete Comparison Guide
Everything you need to know about Virgin Media's routers. Compare WiFi 6 technology, speeds, range, features, and find out whether upgrading from Hub 4 to Hub 5 is worth it.
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Your router is the heart of your home network, and Virgin Media customers have two main options: the newer Hub 5 with WiFi 6 technology, or the older Hub 4 with WiFi 5. Understanding the differences between these routers can help you maximise your broadband speeds and coverage throughout your home.
Whether you're considering a new Virgin Media package or wondering if you should upgrade your existing Hub 4, this comprehensive comparison covers everything you need to know about both routers.
Hub 5 vs Hub 4: Quick Overview
The Hub 5 was released in late 2021 as Virgin Media's flagship router, specifically designed to support their faster broadband packages including Gig1. The Hub 4, released in 2019, remains in service for customers on lower-tier packages and those who haven't yet upgraded.
WiFi Technology Comparison: WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5
The most significant difference between the Hub 5 and Hub 4 is the WiFi standard they use. This affects everything from maximum speeds to how well they handle multiple devices.
Hub 4: WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
WiFi 5, introduced in 2014, was the standard for high-performance routers for several years. The Hub 4's implementation supports:
- Dual-band operation (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Theoretical maximum speeds of 1.7 Gbps (combined across both bands)
- Up to 80MHz channel width on 5GHz
- MU-MIMO for serving multiple devices (4 simultaneous streams)
- Beamforming for directing signal towards connected devices
Hub 5: WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
WiFi 6, certified in 2020, represents a significant leap forward. The Hub 5 brings these advanced capabilities:
- Dual-band with improved efficiency on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Theoretical maximum speeds of 4.8 Gbps
- Up to 160MHz channel width for faster peak speeds
- OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) for better multi-device handling
- 8x8 MU-MIMO for more simultaneous device connections
- Target Wake Time (TWT) for improved device battery life
- 1024-QAM for higher data throughput
What is OFDMA?
OFDMA is one of WiFi 6's most important features. Instead of serving devices one at a time (like WiFi 5), OFDMA allows the Hub 5 to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously in a single transmission. Think of it like a delivery van that can drop off multiple packages in one trip rather than making separate journeys for each. This dramatically improves performance in busy households with many connected devices.
Speed and Performance
Real-world performance is what matters most. Here's how the hubs compare in actual use:
Wired Performance
For wired connections, the Hub 5 has a significant advantage with its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port. This is crucial for Gig1 customers who want to achieve the full 1,130 Mbps their package offers.
Hub 4 Wired
- Maximum:940 Mbps
- (Limited by 1 Gbps Ethernet port)
Hub 5 Wired
- Maximum:2,350 Mbps
- (Uses 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port)
Wireless Performance
Over WiFi, performance depends heavily on your devices, distance from the router, and interference. In typical home conditions:
- Hub 4: Expect 200-400 Mbps on WiFi 5 devices in good conditions, dropping to 50-100 Mbps at range or through walls
- Hub 5: Expect 400-600 Mbps on WiFi 6 devices in good conditions, maintaining 100-200 Mbps even at range or through obstacles
Your Devices Matter
To benefit from the Hub 5's WiFi 6 capabilities, your devices need to support WiFi 6. Most smartphones from 2020 onwards, and laptops from 2021 onwards, include WiFi 6. Older devices will still work but will connect using WiFi 5, negating much of the Hub 5's advantage for those specific devices.
Multi-Device Performance
Where the Hub 5 really shines is in homes with many connected devices. Thanks to OFDMA and improved MU-MIMO, the Hub 5 handles congestion far better than the Hub 4:
Hub 4 with 20+ Devices
Performance noticeably degrades as more devices connect. Buffering and lag can occur during peak household usage when multiple people are streaming, gaming, or video calling simultaneously.
Hub 5 with 20+ Devices
Handles high device counts efficiently. OFDMA ensures devices receive their fair share of bandwidth without the performance drops typical of older routers. Designed for the modern smart home.
Range and Coverage
Both hubs use similar antenna configurations and should provide comparable coverage areas. However, the Hub 5 has advantages in maintaining usable speeds at range.
Coverage Estimates
- Small flat/apartment (up to 50m²): Both hubs provide excellent coverage
- Medium house (50-100m²): Both adequate, but Hub 5 maintains better speeds in far rooms
- Large house (100-200m²): Both may struggle in distant rooms; WiFi Pods recommended
- Very large property (200m²+): WiFi Pods essential for both hubs
WiFi Pods for Extended Coverage
Virgin Media offers WiFi Pods (also known as Intelligent WiFi Pods) that work with both the Hub 4 and Hub 5 to extend coverage throughout larger homes. These mesh-style extenders:
- Create a seamless single network (no separate network name)
- Automatically connect devices to the strongest signal
- Can be managed through the Virgin Media Connect app
- Work better with Hub 5 due to its improved mesh handling
For large homes, we recommend requesting WiFi Pods when signing up for any Virgin Media package, particularly M500 or Gig1 where you want to maximise speed throughout the property.
Ports and Connections
The physical connectivity options differ between the two hubs:
Hub 4 Connectivity
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
Both 1 Gbps, suitable for most devices
- 1x Telephone port
For Virgin Phone service
- No USB port
Cannot connect storage devices
Hub 5 Connectivity
- 1x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port
For Gig1 full-speed connections
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
For additional wired devices
- 1x Telephone port
For Virgin Phone service
Need More Ethernet Ports?
Both hubs have limited Ethernet ports. If you need more wired connections (for a home office, gaming setup, or smart home devices), you'll need a network switch. A simple 5-port or 8-port Gigabit switch costs around £15-30 and provides additional wired connections. For Gig1 customers wanting multiple devices at full speed, consider a 2.5GbE switch (£50-100).
Smart Features
Both hubs are managed through the Virgin Media Connect app, which provides network management capabilities:
Virgin Media Connect App Features
- Device management: See all connected devices and their status
- Speed testing: Run speed tests directly from the app
- Pause internet: Temporarily pause WiFi access for specific devices
- Guest network: Create a separate network for visitors
- WiFi Pod management: Configure and monitor mesh pods
- Notification alerts: Receive alerts about network issues
Hub 5 Exclusive Features
The Hub 5 adds some capabilities not available on the Hub 4:
- Intelligent WiFi Plus: Enhanced channel selection and band steering
- WPA3 security: Latest WiFi security protocol for better protection
- Improved mesh coordination: Better performance with WiFi Pods
- Advanced parental controls: More granular content filtering options
Security Comparison
Hub 4 Security
- WPA2 encryption
- Firewall protection
- Guest network isolation
Hub 5 Security
- WPA3 encryption (latest)
- Enhanced firewall
- Improved guest isolation
Design and Build Quality
Both hubs share a similar design philosophy but with some notable differences:
Virgin Media Hub 4
WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
Virgin Media Hub 5
WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Hub 4 Design
- White glossy plastic enclosure
- Slightly more compact than Hub 5
- LED indicator lights on front panel
- Can be wall-mounted or placed on a flat surface
- Designed for vertical positioning
Hub 5 Design
- Updated white design with cleaner lines
- Marginally larger to accommodate additional hardware
- LED indicators with dimming option
- Improved ventilation for heat management
- Wall mount and stand options included
Which Hub Comes With Which Package?
Virgin Media now provides the Hub 5 as standard with all new broadband packages. However, existing customers may still have a Hub 4:
Current Hub Allocation
Should You Upgrade to Hub 5?
If you're currently using a Hub 4, upgrading to Hub 5 may be worthwhile in certain situations:
Upgrade is Recommended If:
- You're on Gig1 or M500 and want to maximise wired speeds via the 2.5 Gbps port
- You have many WiFi 6 devices and experience congestion with Hub 4
- Your household has 15+ connected devices and struggles with performance
- You're experiencing poor WiFi range that might benefit from Hub 5's improved technology
- You want the latest WPA3 security features
Hub 4 is Probably Fine If:
- You're on M125 or M250 and satisfied with current performance
- You have few devices and don't experience congestion
- Most of your devices don't support WiFi 6
- You primarily use wired connections (unless you need speeds above 940 Mbps)
- Your current WiFi coverage is adequate
How to Get Hub 5
If you're an existing Virgin Media customer with a Hub 4, here are your options:
- Upgrade your package: Moving to a higher tier package (especially M500 or Gig1) will typically include a Hub 5 upgrade as part of the process.
- Request an upgrade: Contact Virgin Media customer service to ask about Hub 5 availability. Upgrades may be free for long-standing customers or those experiencing issues.
- Wait for renewal: When your contract comes up for renewal, use it as an opportunity to negotiate a Hub 5 as part of your new deal.
- Self-installation: In some cases, Virgin Media will post a Hub 5 for self-installation, making the upgrade quick and convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Virgin Hub do I have?
Check the label on the bottom or back of your router. It will clearly state "Hub 4" or "Hub 5". You can also check in the Virgin Media Connect app under your equipment settings.
Can I use my own router instead?
Virgin Media's hubs cannot be replaced entirely, but you can put the Hub in "modem mode" and connect your own router to it. This gives you more control over your network but means managing two devices.
Is the Hub 5 worth it for M125?
At M125 speeds (132 Mbps average), the Hub 4 is perfectly capable of delivering full speeds over both wired and wireless connections. The Hub 5 offers better multi-device handling but isn't essential for the speeds M125 provides.
Will Hub 5 improve my WiFi range?
The Hub 5 has similar range to the Hub 4, but it maintains better speeds at distance thanks to WiFi 6 technology. For significantly improved range, WiFi Pods are more effective than upgrading the hub alone.
Is there a Hub 5x or Hub 6 coming?
Virgin Media has not announced a Hub 5x or Hub 6 as of late 2024. The Hub 5 with WiFi 6 remains their current flagship router. Future updates may include WiFi 6E or WiFi 7 when these standards become more widespread.