Virgin Media M350 offers an average 362Mbps download speed and 36Mbps upload speed. It is ideal for busy homes where streaming, gaming, video calls and large downloads often happen at the same time.
M350 offers considerably more bandwidth than M250 without moving to gigabit speeds. However, compare the live M500 price before ordering because Virgin Media frequently applies larger discounts to its faster packages.
Virgin Media M350 deals
M350 is available as broadband only and with selected phone, TV and Volt packages. The packages offered depend on the postcode entered during the availability check.
| Package | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
M350 Broadband Only |
Download 362Mbps Upload 36Mbps Phone Not included Router Hub 5 or 5x WiFi Max £8/month |
£28.99/month
£32.99 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
|
M350 Broadband + Phone |
Download 362Mbps Upload 36Mbps Calls Anytime Chatter Router Hub 5 Setup £0 |
£36.99/month
£40.99 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
|
M350 Sport HD + Netflix |
Download 362Mbps TV 200+ channels Sport Sky Sports HD Netflix Standard with adverts TV box Stream box |
£56.99/month
£60.99 from 1 April 2027 Up to £300 switching credit |
- Virgin Media increases these monthly prices by £4 each April.
- WiFi Max costs £8 per month with standalone M350 and includes a 30Mbps room-speed guarantee.
- Switching credit requires a claim within 60 days of activation and proof that the previous provider’s early cancellation charge has been paid.
- QuickStart installation is free. An engineer visit costs £30 when QuickStart is available and the customer requests an engineer instead.
M350 at a glance
| Feature | M350 details |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 362Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 36Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download | 181Mbps to the Virgin Media Hub |
| Minimum term | 24 months |
| Usage limit | Unlimited |
| Router | Hub 5 on cable connections or Hub 5x on XGS-PON full fibre |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 |
| WiFi Max | Paid add-on with standalone M350; included with Volt |
| Network type | Cable in established Virgin Media areas and XGS-PON in newer full-fibre areas |
| Optional upload upgrade | Upload speed equal to the download speed through a paid add-on in selected XGS-PON areas |
| Landline | Not required with broadband-only M350 |
Who M350 is suitable for
M350 is ideal for busy homes that regularly use several internet services at once. Its 362Mbps average download speed leaves enough bandwidth for multiple 4K streams, online games, work calls and downloads without requiring a gigabit package.
It is particularly useful for:
- Households with several people streaming, gaming or working from home at the same time
- Homes with numerous phones, televisions, computers, consoles and smart devices
- People who download large games and software updates regularly
- Families using several HD or 4K streaming services during the evening
- Remote workers sharing the connection with other heavy users
Online games need relatively little bandwidth once play begins. M350’s main gaming benefit is the additional capacity available when other people stream or download files during a match.
Who should consider another package
M125 or M250 will cost less and should be sufficient for one or two people using broadband mainly for browsing, streaming, video calls and occasional gaming.
Always compare M350 with M500 before ordering. Choose M500 when its live price is equal to or lower than M350, or when large downloads are a frequent part of household use.
Gig1 is the better option for the quickest downloads, a faster standard upload speed and WiFi Max at no extra monthly charge.
A full-fibre provider offering symmetrical speeds is better for frequent cloud backups, sending large video files or livestreaming at high quality. The paid symmetrical upload add-on provides another option in selected Virgin Media XGS-PON areas.
Check M350 deals in your postcode
M350 pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Average 362Mbps download speed | Standard 36Mbps upload speed is slower than symmetrical full fibre |
| Enough bandwidth for busy multi-device homes | WiFi Max costs extra with standalone M350 |
| Wi-Fi 6 router supplied | Comes with a 24-month minimum term |
| No phone line required | Fixed price increases apply during the minimum term |
| Unlimited data with no monthly usage cap | Standard charge increases significantly after the minimum term |
| Phone, TV and Volt options available | Availability and package combinations depend on the postcode |
M350 speeds and guarantee
| Speed detail | M350 figure |
|---|---|
| Average download speed | 362Mbps |
| Average upload speed | 36Mbps |
| Minimum guaranteed download | 181Mbps to the Hub |
| Data allowance | Unlimited |
| XGS-PON upload add-on | Upload speed equal to the download speed in selected areas |
The 362Mbps average download speed gives a busy household enough capacity for streaming, gaming, browsing and work calls across several devices.
The 36Mbps upload speed is sufficient for video meetings, online gaming and routine file sharing. Large cloud backups and regular video uploads will take longer than they would over a symmetrical full-fibre connection.
Wi-Fi results will differ between rooms. Distance from the Hub, thick walls, interference and the capabilities of each device can all reduce the speed received by a phone, laptop or television. The 362Mbps figure refers to the broadband connection rather than a guaranteed speed on every wireless device.
Minimum download speed guarantee
M350 has a minimum guaranteed download speed of 181Mbps to the Virgin Media Hub.
If the speed reaching the Hub remains below 181Mbps for three consecutive days and Virgin Media cannot correct the problem within 30 days, the customer can qualify to leave without paying an early disconnection fee.
This guarantee measures the connection reaching the Hub. It does not guarantee 181Mbps over Wi-Fi or apply during a broadband outage.
Cable and full-fibre connections
Most established Virgin Media areas use DOCSIS cable. Fibre carries the connection through much of the network before a coaxial cable enters the property.
Newer expansion areas use XGS-PON full fibre, with an optical fibre entering the premises. Both connection types offer the standard M350 speeds, but the router and availability of phone or Wi-Fi services can differ.
Hub 5, Hub 5x and WiFi Max
Cable customers receive the Hub 5, while XGS-PON customers receive the Hub 5x. Both use Wi-Fi 6, which improves wireless efficiency when numerous compatible devices are connected.
The Hub 5 has one 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and three 1Gbps ports. The Hub 5x has one 10Gbps port and three 1Gbps ports. Either router is capable of delivering the full M350 speed to a compatible wired device.
Router placement remains important. Keep the Hub in an open, central location and away from cupboards, televisions, large metal objects and other electrical equipment. Use Ethernet for a gaming PC, console or work computer when consistent latency is a priority.
Read our Virgin Media Hub 5 and Hub 5x guide for a more detailed comparison.
WiFi Max with M350
WiFi Max is a paid add-on with standalone M350 and is included with Volt packages. It guarantees at least 30Mbps download speed in every room.
Virgin Media supplies up to three WiFi Pods when they are needed. If the connection still fails to reach 30Mbps in every room after the Pods have been installed, the customer receives a one-off £100 account credit.
WiFi Max can only be ordered after the broadband service has been activated. It is not offered in Virgin Media’s 2022 and 2023 network expansion areas.
The WiFi Max room guarantee and the 181Mbps minimum download guarantee are separate. One measures wireless performance inside the home, while the other measures the broadband speed reaching the Hub.
Alternatives to Virgin Media M350
| Alternative | Better suited to |
|---|---|
| Virgin Media M250 264Mbps download / 25Mbps upload | Typical households wanting to reduce the monthly cost while retaining enough speed for streaming, gaming and home working |
| Virgin Media M500 516Mbps download / 52Mbps upload | Busy homes making frequent large downloads, particularly when the live M500 deal costs the same as or less than M350 |
| Virgin Media Gig1 1,130Mbps download / 104Mbps upload | Heavy users wanting the quickest downloads, a faster standard upload and WiFi Max included |
| BT Full Fibre 300 300Mbps download / 49Mbps upload | Homes wanting an Openreach full-fibre connection with a faster upload speed |
| Hyperoptic 500Mb 500Mbps download / 500Mbps upload | Premises within Hyperoptic coverage that need equal download and upload speeds |
| Community Fibre 500Mb 500Mbps download / 500Mbps upload | London homes prioritising symmetrical speeds and full-fibre performance |
M250 is the closest cheaper Virgin Media alternative. It is adequate for many households, but M350 gives busy homes additional bandwidth when several people are online together.
M500 is the most important comparison. Virgin Media’s discounts can reduce the faster package to the same price as M350 or below it. The live deal table should decide between them.
Full-fibre alternatives become more attractive when upload performance and low latency are more important than Virgin Media’s faster download speed.
Virgin Media M350 frequently asked questions
Is M350 fast enough for a busy household?
Yes. Its average 362Mbps download speed gives several people enough bandwidth to stream in 4K, play online games, browse, download files and join video calls at the same time.
Can M350 stream and game at the same time?
Yes. Online gaming uses relatively little bandwidth once a game is installed, leaving plenty of capacity for streaming and other activity. Low latency, reliable Wi-Fi and minimal packet loss remain more important than download speed during online play.
Does M350 include a landline?
Broadband-only M350 does not include or require a landline. Virgin Media also offers M350 with Virgin Phone in cable areas. Home phone service is unavailable in some newer full-fibre expansion areas.
Is WiFi Max included with M350?
WiFi Max costs £8 a month with standalone M350 and is included with Volt. It offers up to three WiFi Pods and guarantees at least 30Mbps download speed in every room or a one-off £100 bill credit. WiFi Max is unavailable in Virgin Media’s 2022 and 2023 network expansion areas.
Is M350 cable broadband or full fibre?
M350 uses DOCSIS cable in most established Virgin Media areas and XGS-PON full fibre in newer expansion areas. The connection type depends on the network installed at the property.
Which router comes with M350?
Cable connections receive the Wi-Fi 6 Hub 5, while XGS-PON full-fibre connections receive the Wi-Fi 6 Hub 5x. Both routers are capable of delivering the full M350 speed to a compatible wired device.
Does M350 have a minimum speed guarantee?
Yes. M350 has a minimum guaranteed download speed of 181Mbps to the Hub. If the speed remains below this level for three consecutive days and Virgin Media cannot correct the problem within 30 days after it is reported, the customer can qualify to leave without an early disconnection fee.
Can M350 have equal download and upload speeds?
A paid upload-speed add-on is available in selected XGS-PON areas. It raises the upload speed so it is equal to the download speed. Standard M350 has an average 36Mbps upload speed.
Is M350 better than M250?
M350 is better for homes where several people regularly stream, game, download files or join video calls together. M250 is sufficient for lighter use and costs less when both packages have standard discounts.
Is M500 better value than M350?
M500 is the better option when its live monthly price is equal to or lower than M350. It increases the average download speed to 516Mbps and the average upload speed to 52Mbps. Compare both deals before ordering because Virgin Media changes its discounts regularly.