Verdict
Fast and muscular , the Vodafone Ultra Hub has all of the ports you need to make the most of any broadband , ply a lightning - fast connection inside and 4 guanine backup . With Wi - Fi 6E , this router can even scat at wired Ethernet speeds if you have the correct node . The user interface and range of characteristic are a short canonic , but if you ’re going for a Vodafone broadband connection , the Vodafone Ultra Hub is a whole tone above what ’s provide with most router .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
It seems to be quite often the guinea pig that broadband provider ’ own routers dawdle behind the market in terms of speed and specs . Not so with the Vodafone Ultra Hub , which bring in Wi - Fi 6E to the masses alongside 4 G support .
It ’s a router that ’s profligate but a niggling light on feature . Still , if you have a Vodafone broadband account and want 4 G backing in type of issues with the fixed job , then this setup pack in everything you need .
Design and features
If there ’s one thing that can hold a router back , it ’s not having the right connections to hook up to your wideband connection . That ’s not a trouble with the Vodafone Ultra Hub , which has a DSL port , 2.5 Gbit Ethernet WAN port and a 10 Gigabit SFP module port , which can be used to advance the router in future .
That ’s jolly much everything need care of . It ’s a disgrace , then , that there are only otherwise two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the rear , as that ’s a little qualifying . Buy theNetgear Orbi RBKE963system and you get a 10 Gigabit LAN larboard and four 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports .
In addition to the internet ports , the Vodafone Ultra Hub has two telephony sockets for use with a digital landline . There ’s also USB - A andUSB - Cports for sharing twist . I guess that ’s useful , although in years of reviewing and using wireless routers and mesh organisation , I ’ve never plug anything into the USB port .
The primary router is quite a magnanimous savage , looking more like a mellow - conclusion verbaliser than a router . That ’s all correctly , as I ’d rather have a nice - wait router , specially because router have to be put out in the out-of-doors to get the best signaling .
While the router may give enough covers in smaller homes , it can be extended with Super WiFi 6E Boosters . These smaller boxes have two LAN ports ( one 2.5 Gbit Ethernet and one Gigabit Ethernet ) , and should be placed midway between the router and any job country .
With Vodafone Pro II broadband connection , you get the router , 4 G backup and one mesh planet ; additional satellites are available if required . I did n’t test the 4 G backup scheme , as I do n’t have Vodafone broadband .
The Vodafone Ultra Hub has a default web name and countersign pass on WPA2 / WPA3 . It is possible to split the organisation into two networks using Compatibility Mode , one lam WPA2 and the other WPA3 . This is useful if you have older devices that shin to connect to the meshing .
Configuration of the router is comfortably done with the Vodafone Broadband app , although there is also a web port . I did have some trouble getting devices to connect and had to break up the networks , giving a WPA2 selection . Then , I could connect with my phone . Compatibility Mode was also a useful choice , as without this , my laptop would only connect on the 2.4GHz band .
Neither the app nor the World Wide Web interface ply much in the path of feature article . you could see what ’s connected to the home connection , vary the Wi - Fi name and countersign , but there ’s not much else usable .
If you need paternal ascendancy or connection - wide-cut security measures , the Netgear Orbi RBKE963 orEero Pro 6Eare both respectable choices .
With the 4 guanine dongle , the router can fail over to a cellular connection should the main connection fail . I was n’t provided the 4 G dongle for testing , so ca n’t say how fast it is or how quickly the router change over to this connection . In my menage , I can get around 35Mbit / s on a 4 G Vodafone connectedness .
Performance
I test all routers in the same way , to see the variety of throughput that they can deliver . I found the Vodafone Ultra Hub to be fast in my test , once I ’d change by reversal on Compatibility Mode . Vodafone says that the 5GHz and 6GHz bands run at 4.8Gbit / s ( 4×4 ) and the 2.4GHz connection ( 4×4 ) at a maximum of 1.2Gbpit / s.
Top speed assume no interference from neighbouring meshwork , which is unlikely in most scenarios .
race with the stock 2.4GHz and 5GHz test , I got my 2×2MacBook Airwith aWi - Fi 6card connected to the 5GHz isthmus . The Vodafone Ultra Hub had pick a gamey 5GHz epithelial duct ( 128 ) , which ordinarily helps avoid interference . With the Netgear Orbi organisation , the dedicated 5GHz backhaul usually uses higher number for stableness , using the humbled channels for client .
At close range , I found that I got average throughputs of 657.71Mbps , which is extremely degenerate . Moving to my first floor , speeds rest fast at 527.10Mbps . On the second trading floor of my house , with a mesh extender on the first floor , I saw speeds of 459.39Mbps . That puts the Vodafone Ultra Hub towards the top of the pile for speeds .
switch toWi - Fi 6Eon the 6GHz band , I insure throughputs of 932.45Mbit / s , which is around Gigabit Ethernet stop number and in cable with other 6GHz twist that I ’ve tested .
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Should you buy it?
Super - fast speed and 4 gramme fill-in make this a winner of an ISP router .
corrupt a rival system and you get a wider array of maternal controls and gadget control
Final Thoughts
The Vodafone Ultra Hub is n’t really an option unless you ’ve got Vodafone broadband . If you have , then it ’s a step up from the previous router , delivering the fast standard of Wi - Fi 6E. It ’s a little sparkle on feature , such as paternal controls , but that ’s my only existent complaint .
If you want fast Wi - Fi bundled with your broadband , this Vodafone Ultra Hub is a great pick . If you ’re happy with your broadband provider , but want tight Wi - Fi , check out our guide to thebest mesh systems .
Trusted Score
How we test
Unlike other land site , we test every wireless router we review soundly over an drawn-out period of time . We use industriousness standard trial to compare feature right . We ’ll always tell you what we determine . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
Find out more about how we test in ourethics policy .
FAQs
No , this system is design for Vodafone broadband customer only .
