Hyperoptic 500Mb Ultrafast broadband – Is it any good?

Quick summary

Hyperoptic 500Mb is a full fibre broadband plan with symmetrical speeds, suited to busy households that stream, work from home and use multiple devices at once.

• Average download speed: 527Mbps
• Average upload speed: 523Mbps (equal to the download speed)
• Minimum guaranteed speed: 500Mbps download
• Recommended for: 3–6 people in a home with heavy usage across TVs, laptops, consoles and smart devices
• Router supplied: Hyperoptic Hyperhub – latest models are usually Zyxel EX3301 with Wi-Fi 6
• Broadband options: Broadband-only or broadband plus digital phone (no TV bundle)
• Customer service: Good to excellent – better than most large providers
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Offers and switching credit

Hyperoptic frequently promotes the 500Mb plan with discounted pricing and added incentives, particularly on 24 month contracts.

Typical promotions include:

• Introductory price discounts for the first few months, mainly when you choose a longer contract.
• Switching credit of up to £300 towards early exit fees from your current provider when you move to a 150Mb, 500Mb or 1Gb plan. You need to send a bill showing the exit charges, and the credit is applied to your Hyperoptic account as a future discount.
• 3 months with no monthly charge on some offers, especially in new builds or during seasonal campaigns. This lowers the effective cost in year one, though your regular monthly bill resumes after the free period.
• New-build sign-up offers which provide several free months on a 12 or 24 month term if you’re in an eligible development.

There’s also a price match promise – if you find a comparable full fibre broadband or broadband and phone plan offered at a lower monthly price for your premises, Hyperoptic will match it within your first 30 days. That first month also acts as a satisfaction guarantee – if you cancel within 30 days of activation, you won’t pay an early termination fee.

However, current plans include built-in price rises every April, even during your minimum term. These increases are usually fixed per month rather than CPI-linked, but the total monthly cost will still go up mid-contract.

Activation usually applies when you sign up direct, but our exclusive offers include free setup, so you won’t pay this fee when ordering through our comparison page.

Who this speed is right for

Hyperoptic 500Mb offers average speeds of 527Mbps download and 523Mbps upload. The upload speed is equal to the download speed, which makes this plan stand out compared to most Openreach-based providers who only offer around 70–75Mbps uploads on their 500 plans.

For everyday use, these speeds are far more than most people need for basic browsing or video calls. But the real benefit comes when multiple people are using the connection at the same time:

• Streaming in 4K on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ or YouTube
• Downloading large game files on PlayStation, Xbox or PC platforms
• Frequent use of cloud backup (e.g. iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive)
• Uploading high-res video or large files for creative work
• Several people on Teams, Zoom or Meet during work hours
• Gaming with fast downloads and low latency

Best suited to

• Households with 3–6 people
• Multi-device homes with several smart TVs, consoles, laptops and tablets
• Homes with hybrid or fully remote workers needing strong upload speeds and reliable video call quality
• Gamers or streamers who want consistent low latency and upload performance

When it’s more than you need

If you live alone or with one other person and mainly use one or two devices for browsing, streaming in HD and the occasional video call, Hyperoptic 150Mb will likely be more than enough. You still get symmetrical speeds but at a lower monthly cost.

When to go faster

If your household regularly streams in 4K on multiple TVs, uploads big video projects daily or has 6+ devices running heavy tasks at once, Hyperoptic 1Gb provides extra bandwidth and quicker downloads. That said, 500Mb still covers most homes easily.

Real-world speeds and reliability

Hyperoptic shows peak-time averages, not just the maximum speeds.

Most users get full speed via Ethernet. Over Wi-Fi, speeds tend to vary depending on the router model, distance and device, but many users still report 300–500Mbps in real conditions using Wi-Fi 6 phones or laptops.

Latency is typically low. Users on forums regularly post ping times of 1–3ms to London test servers and under 10ms nationwide. That’s ideal for online gaming, smooth video calls and responsive remote desktop sessions.

Because Hyperoptic uses its own fibre into the building, without copper, it avoids the performance drop seen on older fibre-to-the-cabinet lines. That also helps keep speeds consistent in the evening when some other networks slow down.

Hyperoptic doesn’t limit or prioritise traffic for residential plans. Uploads, downloads and streaming all run at full speed. The only limitation worth noting is carrier-grade NAT on IPv4 – your router shares a public IP address with others unless you pay for a static IP. This can affect some niche uses such as server hosting or certain VPN configurations.

Broadband-only or phone options

Hyperoptic 500Mb is mainly offered as broadband-only, but there’s also a broadband plus digital phone version available.

Broadband-only

This is the most popular version. You get full fibre broadband with symmetric speeds, a Hyperhub router and no phone line. It suits households that rely on mobiles and streaming services, and don’t need a home phone.

Broadband + digital phone

You can add a VoIP home phone service. It runs through the Hyperhub, and you can choose from pay-as-you-go calls, evening/weekend packages or unlimited calls. It’s usually cheaper than bundled phone plans from some larger providers, but you need to plug in a handset and use the router’s voice port.

There is no bundled TV service. Hyperoptic doesn’t offer a TV box or any channel bundles. Instead, the assumption is you’ll use streaming apps such as Netflix, NOW, BBC iPlayer and Freeview via aerial or connected TV.

For customers who want broadband and TV in one package, providers like Sky, Virgin Media and BT remain more suitable. Hyperoptic’s offer is simpler and focused only on broadband (and optional phone).

Router and Wi-Fi performance

What you get

All Hyperoptic 500Mb plans come with a free Hyperhub router. On most recent installations this is a Zyxel EX3301, which supports Wi-Fi 6 and multiple Ethernet ports.

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6: 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• 4× Gigabit Ethernet ports
• 2× voice ports (for the optional digital phone line)
• Compatible with mesh boosters
• Basic app and web interface for control

How it performs

In a medium-sized flat or house, the Hyperhub typically delivers strong Wi-Fi coverage. Speeds over Wi-Fi are commonly in the 300–500Mbps range on modern devices when used near the router. Further away or through several walls, speeds drop – as expected – but still comfortably support streaming, browsing and gaming.

For bigger homes or properties with thicker walls, Hyperoptic offers an optional Total Wi-Fi add-on, which includes a mesh booster and enhanced Zyxel router. This setup extends coverage and keeps speeds high throughout the home. It’s an extra monthly charge, but helpful if you have Wi-Fi blackspots.

Compared with other providers:

• BT and Sky both now offer similar Wi-Fi 6 hubs with mesh options
• Virgin Media still ships some Wi-Fi 5 routers unless you add WiFi Max
• Vodafone hubs support Wi-Fi 6 on newer deals.

Hyperoptic’s router setup is up to date and delivers performance that’s in line with what you’d expect from a 500Mb full fibre connection.

Using your own router

Hyperoptic’s ONT provides a standard Ethernet socket. You can connect your own router directly and set it up using PPPoE or DHCP, depending on your building’s configuration.

You won’t get support for your own equipment if something breaks, but Hyperoptic support will help as long as you test issues with the supplied Hyperhub. The digital phone service requires the Hyperhub’s voice ports, so if you want to use a different router and keep the phone line, you’ll need to bridge the connection or use a more complex setup.

Price vs other providers

In Hyperoptic’s range, 500Mb is the middle-to-upper option. It costs more than 150Mb, but usually not by much on a 24 month deal. And it’s cheaper than 1Gb while offering most of the benefits for typical households.

When comparing it to other providers:

• Upload speeds are a key advantage. BT, Sky and Vodafone 500 plans only offer around 70Mbps upload – Hyperoptic offers over 500Mbps in both directions.
• Router quality is on par with leading full fibre providers.
• No TV bundle – you save money, but you don’t get a TV service included.
• Contract options are more flexible. You can go 24 months, 12 months, or even pay monthly if you prefer.
• Switching perks and a 30 day cancellation window add to the overall value.

What holds it back slightly is the built-in April price rise and limited availability. It’s still a much better deal than many similar speed plans from bigger providers if your building is Hyperoptic-ready.

Verdict – is Hyperoptic 500Mb worth it?

Hyperoptic 500Mb is a very good option for families, sharers and remote workers who want fast broadband that’s consistent, symmetrical and priced fairly.

What we like

• Very fast 527Mbps download and upload
• Smooth performance for 4K streaming, cloud storage and video calls
• Low ping and fast game downloads
• Free Wi-Fi 6 router with mesh add-on option
• Switch credit, flexible terms and 30 day satisfaction policy
• Better value than many rivals with slower uploads

What could be better

• Coverage is still limited to certain buildings and postcodes
• No bundled TV service
• Mid-contract price increases apply on newer plans
• Carrier-grade NAT unless you pay extra for a static IP

Recommended for

• Busy homes with lots of active devices
• Home workers using Teams, Zoom, Google Drive or OneDrive daily
• Streamers, gamers and creators uploading regularly
• Students or renters who want fast broadband with short-term contracts

Consider other options if

• You only need light usage – 150Mb will do
• You want to bundle broadband and premium TV
• Hyperoptic isn’t available where you live

If you want fast, symmetric broadband that handles everything a modern household throws at it, Hyperoptic 500Mb delivers.

Similar broadband plans to compare

• BT Full Fibre 500 – 500/73Mbps. Good for BT TV bundling and nationwide availability, but upload is slower and prices rise with inflation.
• Sky Full Fibre 500 – 500/75Mbps. Includes Sky Stream options and stable pricing in some bundles, but upload is lower than Hyperoptic.
• Vodafone Full Fibre 500 – 500/68Mbps (Openreach) or symmetric on CityFibre. Often cheaper with voucher offers, but support can be inconsistent.
• Virgin Media M500 – 516/52Mbps. Strong download speed and bundles well with Virgin TV, but slower upload and higher latency.
• Community Fibre 500Mbps – 500/500Mbps. Great value where available, especially in London. Symmetric like Hyperoptic, but limited coverage.
• Hyperoptic 150Mb – 158/158Mbps. Better suited for smaller or lighter-use homes that don’t need the bandwidth of 500Mb.
• Hyperoptic 1Gb – 900+/900+Mbps. For very large homes, power users or anyone who wants the fastest possible speeds.

FAQ

Is Hyperoptic 500Mb enough for 4K streaming and home working?
Yes. It can easily manage multiple 4K streams, large file uploads and back-to-back video calls, even with several people online at once.

Will I really get 500Mb?
On a wired connection, most users report 500–550Mbps. Wi-Fi speeds vary depending on your setup, but often stay above 300Mbps on good devices.

What’s the difference between 150Mb, 500Mb and 1Gb plans?
150Mb suits smaller homes. 500Mb supports busy homes with lots of usage. 1Gb is better if you want maximum performance and extra spare capacity.

Do prices rise during the contract?
Yes. Newer Hyperoptic contracts include fixed price increases each April, so your monthly bill will go up during your term.

Can I use my own router?
Yes, as long as you connect it via the Hyperoptic Ethernet socket. You’ll need to configure it based on your building setup. Phone services only work via the Hyperhub.

Is it good for gaming?
Yes. Hyperoptic has low ping, fast uploads and no traffic shaping, which is ideal for gaming and streaming. You may need a static IP if you want to host servers.

What if I move house mid-contract?
If you move to another Hyperoptic location, your service can be transferred. If not, early termination fees may apply. Always check your contract before moving.