Virgin Media M500 Complete Guide: High-Flying Performance
Comprehensive guide to Virgin Media's M500 package. Discover why 516Mbps is the ideal choice for power users, large households, and those seeking the Hub 5 experience.
Updated: February 2026

Contents
Virgin Media M500 is a high-performance broadband package that bridges the gap between standard ultrafast services and gigabit speeds. With average downloads of 516Mbps, it’s built for the most demanding digital lifestyles.
What is Virgin Media M500?
M500 is one of Virgin Media's premium tiers. It offers headline speeds of 516Mbps, making it roughly five times faster than the UK average. It's particularly noteworthy as it's often the entry point for receiving the newer Hub 5 router out of the box.
M500 Key Specifications
M500 Speeds Explained
With 516Mbps, your internet speed will rarely, if ever, be a bottleneck. Downloading a 50GB game takes less than 15 minutes, and streaming 4K video across multiple TV, tablets, and phones works flawlessly.
Download (516Mbps)
Download a 10GB 4K movie in under 3 minutes.
Upload (52Mbps)
Excellent for 4K video uploads and intensive cloud work.
The Hub 5 Router
M500 customers get the Hub 5, Virgin Media's most advanced router. It featuring WiFi 6 technology, which is more efficient at handling a high volume of wireless devices. It also includes a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for ultimate wired reliability.
Who Actually Needs M500?
M500 is the best choice for:
- Power user households with 5+ people using multiple devices.
- Content creators who frequently upload large video files to the web.
- Gamers who want to minimise downtime during large game downloads.
- Large smart homes with dozens of connected devices.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Incredible download performance
- Includes the latest Hub 5 router
- Perfect for very busy households
Cons
- Higher monthly cost than mid-tiers
- May be overkill for some users
Our Verdict
M500 is a fantastic option for those who want near-gigabit performance without the the full cost of Gig1. With the Hub 5 included, it's a future-proof choice for any modern, high-tech home.