Virgin Media M350 fibre broadband sits in the middle of the provider’s line-up, and is an ideal option for homes that want fast speeds without paying for the top tiers.
The plan delivers average download speeds of 362Mbps and upload speeds of 36Mbps, making it considerably faster than the UK’s typical fixed-line connection. These speeds are more than capable of handling multiple 4K streams, online gaming, large downloads and everyday cloud use, making M350 a strong choice for small to medium households where several people are online at the same time.
Who is Virgin Media M350 best suited for?
Virgin Media M350 fibre broadband is designed for households that need a reliable connection with enough capacity for multiple activities at once. It works well for families or sharers where people want to stream in 4K, download large files, play online games and work from home without seeing slowdowns.
The plan is also a good option for students or shared homes with four to six occupants, as it offers more headroom than Virgin Media M250, but without the higher price of the M500 tier.
Virgin Media M350 speed and real-world performance
The advertised average speeds of 362Mbps down and 36Mbps up make M350 much faster than the national average of around 223Mbps. This means households can expect everyday tasks like software updates or file transfers to complete much more quickly, with downloads that once took hours finishing in minutes.
Streaming multiple HD or Ultra HD films is seamless, and latency is generally good enough for casual and competitive online gaming. Upload speeds around the mid-30Mbps mark are enough for HD video calls, sending large photo libraries to the cloud, and sharing files with colleagues.
How fast is Virgin Media M350 broadband?
Virgin Media M350 has enough capacity to support one 4K stream alongside several HD streams while leaving room for browsing, cloud backups and calls.
Downloading a large Xbox or PlayStation game is typically completed within an evening, while smaller updates take just a few minutes.
Uploads at 36Mbps are fast enough for remote workers who need to share screens or back up data to the cloud, as well as for content creators who want to upload HD videos regularly.
M350 fibre broadband – how many devices can it handle?
M350 has sufficient downstream capacity for 10 to 20 connected devices at the same time, such as phones, laptops, consoles and TVs. In many households, Wi-Fi coverage is a bigger limiting factor than raw line speed.
Positioning the router carefully or adding mesh boosters can make a big difference to maintaining fast speeds throughout the home.
Virgin Media M350 price, cost and package options
M350 is generally sold on a 24-month contract. Promotional pricing is often available for the first term, and setup is free with QuickStart self-install where the property is pre-wired. Engineer installation may carry a fee.
Like other Virgin Media plans, M350 is subject to an annual price rise each April, currently set at £3.50 per month for new contracts taken out from January 2025 onwards. Older contracts still use the inflation plus 3.9 percent formula.
Monthly prices and promotions vary by postcode, and bundles with TV, phone or Volt benefits can alter the minimum term and overall price. Customers are supplied with the hub, cables and QuickStart instructions in the box.
Quick view of Virgin Media M350 Fibre Broadband
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Check your postcodeVirgin Media M350 hub and routers
The router you get depends on where you live and whether your property is on Virgin’s cable or full-fibre network.
- Hub 5 – Virgin’s most common router for cable broadband. It supports Wi-Fi 6, has one 2.5Gb Ethernet port and three 1Gb ports, and comes with a 4×4 antenna setup for solid coverage. Wi-Fi 6 helps multiple devices connect at once without slowing each other down, making it the best fit for M350 homes.
- Hub 4 – An older router that uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It has four 1Gb ports and a similar antenna layout, but it doesn’t handle busy households as well as the Hub 5.
- Hub 3 – Even older. Still Wi-Fi 5, with four 1Gb ports, but its chipset and wireless performance are weaker, especially in flats with lots of competing networks.
- Hub 5x – Supplied only on Virgin’s full-fibre rollout. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and has a 10Gb Ethernet port for future-proof speeds.
For most people on M350, the Hub 5 is what you’ll get, and it’s a solid performer. It will cover a typical two- or three-bed house, but if you have thick walls or multiple floors, you may need Virgin’s Wi-Fi Pods or your own mesh system to keep the speeds consistent.
Network and coverage
Virgin Media’s network uses a mix of DOCSIS 3.1 cable connections and an expanding full fibre build using XGS-PON technology. Both are capable of delivering the advertised average speeds of M350, with uploads capped at 36Mbps by the plan itself. Coverage is postcode-dependent, so potential customers should check availability before signing up.
Upload speed performance
The 36Mbps upload speed on Virgin Media M350 is a step up from the 25Mbps offered with M250. This makes the plan appealing to households that want smoother cloud syncing, faster file transfers, or more reliable video calls.
It is also enough to support multiple users uploading files at once without significantly affecting performance.
For households where uploads are critical, M500 may be more suitable as it offers 52Mbps upstream, but for most users M350 will be sufficient.
Virgin Media M350 vs M500
M500 delivers 516Mbps down and 52Mbps up, offering a higher ceiling for busy homes and creators who upload large files daily.
Customers who regularly run several 4K streams or download huge games will find M500 worthwhile.
For most medium-sized households, M350 provides a better balance of speed and cost.
What is the difference between M250 and M350?
M250 averages 264Mbps down and 25Mbps up, which is fine for lighter usage. M350 raises both figures to 362/36, which noticeably improves performance in homes where multiple people are online at once. The faster upload is especially useful for video calls and cloud backups.
Reliability
Virgin Media broadband plans are unlimited, with no monthly usage caps. However, performance can vary by area depending on how busy the local network is, and Wi-Fi coverage within the home is often a limiting factor.
Customers can test their line using Virgin’s own speed tool or independent testers, preferably over a wired Ethernet connection to avoid wireless fluctuations. If reliability is critical, keeping a 4G or 5G mobile hotspot as backup can provide resilience.
Switching to Virgin Media
Switching broadband providers in the UK has become easier under the One Touch Switch process. Customers moving to or from Virgin Media usually only need to contact their new provider, who will manage the switch.
If you are moving between Virgin and an Openreach-based provider, you may experience a brief overlap or downtime, so it is worth checking dates carefully.
Contract terms
M350 usually comes with a 24-month minimum term, and early termination fees apply if you cancel early. Price rises are written into the contract, so customers should check the terms in detail before signing up.
Self-install is typically free, but engineer visits may cost extra. Bundling TV or phone services can change the minimum term and pricing.
Is Virgin Media M350 broadband good?
For most medium-sized households, Virgin Media M350 offers a sensible balance of speed and value. It delivers more headroom than the entry-level plans, while remaining cheaper than the gigabit options.
The 36Mbps upload speed is enough for most day-to-day needs, and the Hub 5 router provides reliable wireless coverage. M350 is best for homes with several devices online at once, students sharing a house, or hybrid workers who need reliable uploads without paying for M500.
Verdict: M350 fibre broadband Virgin
Virgin Media M350 is a well-balanced broadband option for UK households. It offers fast downloads and capable uploads, supports multiple devices, and comes with modern hardware.
While prices vary and annual rises apply, it remains one of the best-value mid-tier packages in Virgin Media’s line-up. For families, students, and professionals working from home, M350 strikes the right balance of speed, reliability and cost.
FAQ
Virgin Media M350 speed
362Mbps down, 36Mbps up on average.
Virgin Media M350 price
Varies by area and promotions, with contracts typically 24 months long and subject to April rises.
Virgin Media M350 hub
Usually comes with Hub 5, though Hub 3 or 4 may still appear in some cases.
Virgin Media Hub 5 vs Hub 3
Hub 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 and offers better coverage; Hub 3 is older and less reliable.
Virgin Media M350 vs M500
M500 is faster, with 516/52 speeds, but M350 offers better value for most households.
What is the difference between M250 and M350?
M350 boosts both download and upload speeds, making it more suitable for busy homes.