Vodafone Broadband Routers Compared – Power Hub vs Ultra Hub 7

Vodafone broadband customers receive Power Hub or Ultra Hub 7 router, depending on the plan they choose. These routers vary in features, Wi-Fi standards, and performance. Each one is bundled with a specific package and may come with optional mesh boosters or mobile backup features.

Power Hub

This is the default router included with Vodafone’s standard full fibre broadband packages. It uses Wi-Fi 6 and supports speeds up to 900Mbps. It’s designed for most homes that need reliable wireless across several rooms.

Ultra Hub 7 (Pro 3 plans)

Vodafone’s newest and fastest router is the Ultra Hub 7, included with Pro 3 packages. This one supports Wi-Fi 7, the latest wireless standard, and offers even better throughput, lower latency, and improved performance for demanding households. It also includes the Super WiFi 7 mesh booster and 4G Broadband Back-Up.

The router you get depends entirely on your plan. Power Hub is standard for entry-level and mid-range fibre broadband, Ultra Hub comes with Pro II, and Ultra Hub 7 is reserved for the Pro 3 plan. Vodafone’s broadband site makes this clear on each package page.

Quick Spec Snapshot

Power Hub

  • Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router
  • Managed via Vodafone Broadband app
  • Mesh upgrade available with Super WiFi 6 Booster
  • Suitable for most FTTP plans up to 900Mbps
  • Officially rated for 100+ devices

Ultra Hub 7 (Pro 3)

  • Wi-Fi 7 router with multi-link and advanced modulation
  • Supplied with Super WiFi 7 Booster
  • 4G Broadband Back-Up included
  • Supports faster throughput and lower latency for busy homes

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Setup

If you’ve signed up for full fibre broadband (FTTP), setup is relatively straightforward. Plug the router into the ONT (the fibre box on your wall) using the included Ethernet cable. Once powered on, wait for the status light to turn solid—this means it’s online. You can then connect to the default Wi-Fi network name printed on the router, or use the Vodafone Broadband app to change the name and set a custom password.

If you’re using mesh boosters, start by plugging one in near the main router and pairing it. After pairing, move it closer to the areas with weak signal. Vodafone’s mesh system automatically adjusts coverage as you add more pods. For most homes, one or two pods placed in the right locations are enough.

For Pro 3 customers, there’s nothing you need to do to enable 4G backup. If your fibre broadband stops working, the router will automatically switch to mobile data. Once the fibre connection returns, the router switches back again without any input from you.

Real-World Performance

Power Hub (Wi-Fi 6)
In smaller homes or apartments, this router offers fast speeds on modern devices using the 5GHz band. Coverage is decent across two or three rooms, but in larger homes or places with thicker walls, speeds can drop in distant rooms. That’s where mesh boosters help. Adding a Super WiFi 6 pod in the middle of the weak zone often provides better results than relying on the main router’s power alone.

Ultra Hub 7 (Wi-Fi 7)
Wi-Fi 7 brings the most advanced features, including Multi-Link Operation (which allows devices to use more than one channel at the same time) and higher signal efficiency (4096-QAM). In practice, this means more consistent speeds, especially when streaming, gaming or working from home. It also reduces jitter and latency. That said, for the fastest speeds to a single device, using a wired Ethernet connection is still the most reliable method.

What you need to know
If your speed tests aren’t reaching full potential, check whether your laptop, PC, or cables are the weak link. A 1Gbps network card or a Cat5 cable will limit your speeds even if your broadband and router can go faster. You’ll need a 2.5Gbps-capable network interface and Cat6a or Cat7 cables to take full advantage of the faster ports and Wi-Fi 7.

Modem or Bridge Mode – Can You Use Your Own Router?

Vodafone routers do not have a simple modem or bridge mode that you can toggle. That means you can’t easily disable the router’s built-in features and use your own router in full control mode.

If you want to use a third-party router or mesh system, you’ll either need to:

  • Put your new router into access point (AP) mode, which keeps the Vodafone router in charge of network routing.
  • Or, accept double-NAT, where both routers are doing routing. This can sometimes cause issues with gaming, port forwarding, or smart devices.

Several community forums and guides have detailed workarounds, but there’s no official support or guaranteed compatibility. Plan to use AP mode if you’re adding your own router or mesh system.

Which Router Comes With Which Plan?

Here’s how Vodafone assigns routers:

Standard Vodafone Broadband (FTTP up to 910Mbps)

  • Comes with Power Hub
  • Optional: Super WiFi 6 Booster pods

Vodafone Pro 3

  • Comes with Ultra Hub 7 (Wi-Fi 7)
  • Includes Super WiFi 7 Booster and 4G Broadband Back-Up

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Clear upgrade ladder: Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 depending on the plan
  • Mesh boosters are tightly integrated with the router and app
  • 4G Backup is included on Pro plans and kicks in automatically during outages
  • All routers support gigabit or multi-gig Ethernet ports
  • Device capacity scales well with each upgrade (100+, 150+ devices)

Cons

  • No official bridge/modem mode makes it harder to use third-party routers
  • Band-splitting options (e.g., separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks) are limited
  • Tech-savvy users may find the router settings too basic
  • To unlock full wired speed, you’ll need compatible 2.5GbE or 10GbE gear

What’s missing

  • Advanced settings like VLAN tagging, custom DNS per device, or port-specific QoS aren’t available in the default interface
  • Users with multi-gig networks need their own switches or network cards to benefit from routers’ faster ports

Vodafone vs Other Provider Routers in 2025

BT’s Smart Hub 2
Still uses Wi-Fi 5, which is slower and less efficient than Vodafone’s WiFi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 options. It does include built-in Digital Voice and is simple to set up. However, without mesh, it can bottleneck faster fibre plans.

Virgin Media Hub 5 / 5x
Virgin Media’s routers support multi-gig ports—Hub 5 has 2.5GbE, Hub 5x goes up to 10GbE. Their WiFi Max mesh system also comes with a performance guarantee (30Mbps per room). However, Virgin doesn’t offer Wi-Fi 7, and mobile backup is not included.

Sky Broadband Hub / Max Hub / Gigafast+ Hub
Sky’s newer routers are catching up. The Gigafast+ Hub adds Wi-Fi 7 and dual 10GbE ports for top-tier plans. The Max Hub is Wi-Fi 6E with mesh guarantees. Availability is more limited though, and Vodafone’s Pro plans offer wider support and backup.

Verdict

For most people getting full fibre, the Power Hub is a good starting point. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and suits typical usage in flats or smaller houses. If you’re dealing with dead spots, adding a Super WiFi pod helps a lot.

The Ultra Hub 7 (Pro 3) is the most future-proof. If you’ve got Wi-Fi 7 phones or laptops, or want the lowest latency and best mesh backhaul, this is the one to go for. Just bear in mind, if you want maximum speed to one device, Ethernet is still the way to go.

If you plan to use your own router, expect to leave the Vodafone box in place and use access-point mode or accept double-NAT. Also, check that your cables and devices can actually handle the speeds your router supports.

FAQ

Which Vodafone router will I get?
It depends on your plan. Standard plans come with Power Hub and Pro 3 with Ultra Hub 7.

Does Vodafone offer 4G backup?
Yes. Pro 3 includes automatic 4G failover. If your broadband goes down, your router switches to mobile data.

Is Wi-Fi 7 worth it?
If you have newer devices and want less lag during busy hours, Wi-Fi 7 helps.

Can I use my own router?
You can, but Vodafone doesn’t support modem-only mode. You’ll need to use your own router in access-point mode or accept double NAT.

How do I add mesh pods?
Use the Vodafone app to pair the pod near the router, then move it to the middle point between the router and your dead zone. You can repeat this with extra pods until coverage is even.

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