Virgin Media M250 is a good choice for homes that stream in 4K, play online games and use several devices at the same time. Its average 264Mbps download speed is more than enough for most two-to-four-person households.
The weaker point is its average 25Mbps upload speed. That is adequate for video calls, gaming and everyday file sharing, but homes that upload large videos or run frequent cloud backups should compare full-fibre alternatives.
Virgin Media M250 deals
| Package | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
M250 Broadband Only |
Download 264Mbps Upload 25Mbps Phone Not included Router Hub 5 or 5x WiFi Max £8/month |
£18.99/month £22.99 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
|
M250 Broadband + Phone |
Download 264Mbps Upload 25Mbps Calls Anytime Chatter Router Hub 5 Setup £0 |
£33.99/month £37.99 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
|
M250 + O2 SIM (Volt) |
Download 264Mbps Upload 25Mbps O2 SIM 4GB data Calls and texts Unlimited WiFi Max Included |
£28.99/month £35.49 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
|
M250 30-day rolling |
Download 264Mbps Upload 25Mbps Service Broadband only Notice 30 days Setup £0 with QuickStart |
Check live price |
- Virgin Media broadband and phone prices increase by £4 each April.
- The O2 SIM price increases separately by £2.50 each April, so the combined Volt price rises by £6.50.
- Virgin Phone is unavailable in new full-fibre expansion areas.
- Switching credit requires a claim within 60 days of activation and proof that the previous provider’s early cancellation charge has been paid.
- The 30-day rolling option normally costs more than a fixed-term M250 deal and does not include switching credit.
- Rolling setup is free with QuickStart. An engineer visit is free when QuickStart is unavailable, but costs £30 when QuickStart is offered and the customer chooses an engineer instead.
At a glance
| Feature | M250 details |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 264Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 25Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download speed | 132Mbps to the hub |
| Minimum term | 24 months for the main offers; a separate 30-day rolling option is available |
| Network | Cable in established areas; XGS-PON full fibre in expansion areas |
| Router | Hub 5 on cable; Hub 5x on XGS-PON |
| WiFi Max | £8 a month with standalone M250; included with Volt |
| Faster upload option | Upload speed equal to the download speed for £6 a month at some XGS-PON premises |
| Best for | Two-to-four-person households using several devices at once |
Who M250 is suitable for
M250 is ideal for:
- Two to four people using smart TVs, consoles, phones and laptops.
- Several HD or 4K streams running at the same time.
- Online gaming alongside streaming, browsing and video calls.
- Frequent game and software downloads where M125 would take longer.
- Working or studying from home while other people use the connection.
Its download capacity is generous for a typical household without moving to one of Virgin Media’s faster plans.
Who should choose another plan
Consider another package if:
- Your home mainly uses broadband for browsing, email and one or two video streams. M125 can cost less, although M250 is the better deal when both appear at the same price.
- Several heavy users regularly download large games or stream 4K video at once. M350 or M500 adds more download capacity and faster uploads.
- You want gigabit downloads and WiFi Max included. Gig1 combines both without adding WiFi Max separately.
- Large uploads, cloud backups or live streaming form a major part of your usage. An FTTP package with an upload speed equal to the download speed will complete these tasks faster.
- You are a student who wants a 12-month package. Virgin Media does not currently include M250 in its student range, although a separate 30-day rolling M250 option is available.
M250 pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Average 264Mbps download speed | Average 25Mbps upload speed |
| A separate 30-day rolling option is available | The lowest-price offers require a 24-month minimum term |
| Hub 5 or Hub 5x with Wi-Fi 6 | Fixed price increases apply each April |
| Current offers include £0 setup options | WiFi Max costs extra with standalone M250 |
| Phone and Volt options are available | Packages vary by postcode |
M250 speeds and guarantee
M250 offers an average 264Mbps download speed and 25Mbps upload speed. The download speed gives several people enough capacity to stream, game, join video calls and download files at the same time.
The upload speed is less generous. It is enough for normal video calls, sending photos and saving documents online, but large cloud backups and video uploads take longer than they would on a symmetrical FTTP connection.
Virgin Media sets the minimum guaranteed download speed at 132Mbps to the hub. If the speed delivered to the hub falls below that level for three consecutive days and Virgin Media cannot correct the fault within 30 days after it is reported, the customer can leave without an early disconnection fee.
This guarantee measures the connection reaching the hub, not the speed received by every wireless device. Wi-Fi performance also depends on the device, distance from the hub, walls and local interference.
At some XGS-PON premises, a paid £6-a-month add-on changes the upload speed so it is equal to the download speed. Standard M250 retains its 25Mbps upload speed.
Hub 5, Hub 5x and WiFi Max
M250 comes with a Wi-Fi 6 router. Cable connections use Hub 5, while XGS-PON full-fibre connections use Hub 5x. Virgin Media assigns the correct model for the network installed at the premises.
Both hubs can manage the speed of M250 across modern phones, laptops and televisions. Actual wireless speeds fall with distance and interference, so the best location is an open, central part of the home.
Our Virgin Media Hub 5 and Hub 5x guide explains the differences between the two routers.
WiFi Max is optional with standalone M250 and included with Volt. It uses up to three WiFi Pods to extend wireless coverage and includes a guarantee of at least 30Mbps download speed in every room. Virgin Media applies a £100 bill credit if the minimum remains unmet after the pods have been installed.
The 30Mbps WiFi Max promise is separate from M250’s 132Mbps minimum download guarantee to the hub.
M250 alternatives
Compare M250 with Virgin Media’s neighbouring plans before looking at another provider. A small difference in the live monthly price can make a faster Virgin Media package more attractive.
| Alternative | Better suited to |
|---|---|
| Virgin Media M125 132Mbps download / 20Mbps upload | Light-use homes when the live M125 deal costs less than M250 |
| Virgin Media M350 362Mbps download / 36Mbps upload | Busier households wanting additional bandwidth without moving to M500 |
| Virgin Media M500 516Mbps download / 52Mbps upload | Homes with frequent large downloads and several heavy users |
| Virgin Media Gig1 1,130Mbps download / 104Mbps upload | Gigabit downloads and WiFi Max included |
| BT Full Fibre 300 300Mbps download / 49Mbps upload | Homes wanting Openreach FTTP and a faster standard upload |
| Hyperoptic 500Mb 527Mbps download / 523Mbps upload | Premises in Hyperoptic areas that prioritise upload performance |
M250 remains the best starting point for many homes. Move down only when the live M125 deal costs less, and move up when several people regularly compete for download capacity.
Virgin Media M250 FAQs
Is Virgin Media M250 fast enough for most homes?
Yes. M250 offers an average 264Mbps download speed and 25Mbps upload speed. It is suitable for typical households using several streaming services, video calls, games consoles and connected devices.
Homes that frequently download very large files or complete extensive cloud backups should compare M350 and M500. M125 can cost less if only one or two people use the connection for lighter internet activity.
Which minimum download speed applies to M250?
M250 comes with a minimum guaranteed download speed of 132Mbps to the Virgin Media Hub. This guarantee applies to the broadband connection reaching the router, not the speed recorded over Wi-Fi on an individual device.
If the connection remains below the guaranteed speed for three consecutive days, report the problem to Virgin Media. You can leave without paying an early disconnection charge if Virgin Media cannot correct the fault within 30 days.
Does M250 use cable or full fibre?
M250 uses DOCSIS cable in established Virgin Media areas and XGS-PON full fibre in newer expansion areas. Cable premises normally receive the Hub 5, while XGS-PON installations use the Hub 5x.
Both connection types offer the same standard average 264Mbps download speed and 25Mbps upload speed. The postcode check and order information confirm the connection and router available at the property.
Is WiFi Max included with M250?
Standalone M250 does not include WiFi Max as standard. It is available as an additional monthly service and is included when M250 forms part of a Volt package.
WiFi Max offers a minimum 30Mbps Wi-Fi download speed in every room, subject to service exclusions. Virgin Media can supply up to three WiFi Pods following its diagnostic process. A one-off £100 bill credit applies if the completed process fails to deliver the guaranteed speed.
Is M250 suitable for online gaming?
Yes. M250 has enough bandwidth for online gaming alongside streaming, browsing and video calls. It can also download games and updates considerably faster than M125.
Online gameplay uses relatively little bandwidth. Low latency, a reliable connection and good Wi-Fi coverage matter more than moving from M250 to a gigabit package. M500 or Gig1 becomes more useful when several people regularly download large games or other files at the same time.
Should I choose M250 or M350?
M250 is suitable for a typical household using several connected devices. M350 increases the average download speed to 362Mbps and the upload speed to 36Mbps, making it better for busier homes, more frequent large downloads and heavier uploading.
Compare the complete contract costs in the deal table. M350 becomes the better option when the price difference is small and the household will use the additional bandwidth.
Can M250 offer symmetrical upload speeds?
Standard M250 has an average 25Mbps upload speed. Virgin Media offers a paid upload-speed add-on in selected XGS-PON full-fibre areas, increasing the upload speed until it is equal to the download speed.
The add-on is unavailable on DOCSIS cable connections. Check its availability during the order if fast uploads are important for cloud backups, video production or frequent large file transfers.
Does M250 include a landline?
The M250 broadband-only package does not include a landline. A separate broadband and phone package is available in Virgin Media cable areas.
Home phone service is unavailable in some XGS-PON expansion areas. The postcode check confirms whether an M250 phone package can be ordered at the property.