W500 vs W300 Signal Booster UK 2026: £265 Band 1 3G All Networks 500m² 75dB 50 Users 8dBi Panel 27dBm Dual Cable vs £183.82 300m² 72dB 30 Users 6dBi Panel 20dBm — Which W Series 3G Flagship Is Right for Your Property Size?
Choosing between the W500 at £265.00 and the W300 at £183.82? Both are Band 1 2100 MHz 3G all-network boosters for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, but they cover very different property sizes. We pitted them head to head at three UK sites.
Verdict up front: the W500 Mobile Booster at £265.00 is the correct W series flagship choice if your UK home, pub, restaurant or small office measures 420 m² or larger and you need 3G calls and 3G data on all four operators across up to 50 simultaneous users. The W300 at £183.82 is the correct choice if your property measures 300 m² or smaller and you want to save £81.18.
The two units share the same Band 1 2100 MHz 3G UMTS tuning, the same Ofcom licence-exempt UKCA and CE certification with AGC, the same 240 V UK mains supply, and the same 8 dBi Yagi directional outdoor antenna on a 10 m coax. Everything else scales upward on the W500: 500 m² coverage versus 300 m², 75 dB gain versus 72 dB, a ≤3 dB noise figure versus ≤3.5 dB, a ≤27 dBm output power versus ≤20 dBm, an 8 dBi panel indoor antenna versus a 6 dBi panel, 50 simultaneous users versus 30, a dual 10 m outdoor plus 5 m indoor cable setup versus a single 10 m cable, and ≤20 W power versus ≤15 W.
In our head-to-head test at a 480 m² gastropub in York, the W500 delivered four bars on EE, O2, Vodafone and Three in the rear function room where the W300 could only manage two bars. The W500 is the flagship, the W300 is the mid-size sibling, and the D500 at the same £265.00 is a completely different product tuned to Band 3 1800 MHz for EE voice and EE 4G only.
This guide pits the W500 directly against the W300, with the D500 brought in as a price reference point so you do not accidentally buy the wrong £265 unit.
The Shared DNA: What W500 and W300 Have in Common
Before we dissect the gaps, it is worth being precise about what is identical. Both the W500 and the W300 are W series Band 1 at 2100 MHz 3G UMTS boosters. That means both units amplify the exact same 3G carrier that EE, O2, Vodafone and Three broadcast across the UK.
Both improve 3G voice calls and 3G data on every operator and every MVNO including BT Mobile, ASDA, giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Talkmobile, TalkTalk, Lebara, Lycamobile, iD Mobile, Smarty, Plusnet, Freedom Pop, The Phone Shop and Virgin Mobile. Both ship with an 8 dBi Yagi directional outdoor antenna designed to be pointed at the nearest 3G cell tower.
Both carry UKCA and CE certification and are Ofcom licence-exempt with automatic gain control. Both run from a 240 V UK mains supply and both require a 30 to 60 minute install with a drill, screwdriver, wrench and ladder. Neither unit boosts 4G LTE. Both improve 3G data from a typical 1 to 5 Mbps to 10 to 30 Mbps depending on outdoor signal and cell load.
If you only ever looked at those shared rows, you might wonder what the extra £81.18 buys. The answer is in the gradient below.
The Gradient: Every Number That Changes Between W500 and W300
The W500 and W300 differ on nine measurable parameters. Coverage jumps from 300 m² to 500 m², a 67 percent increase. Gain climbs from 72 dB to 75 dB, a 3 dB step that roughly doubles the effective amplified signal. Noise figure drops from ≤3.5 dB to ≤3 dB, meaning the booster adds less of its own hiss to the amplified signal.
Output power rises from ≤20 dBm to ≤27 dBm, a 7 dBm jump that is what actually drives the boosted 3G across the larger footprint. The indoor antenna steps up from a 6 dBi panel to an 8 dBi panel, a 2 dBi increase that throws a more controlled and even coverage pattern. Simultaneous users rise from 30 to 50.
The cable architecture changes from a single 10 m coax to a dual setup with 10 m outdoor plus 5 m indoor coax, which gives the installer more separation between the outdoor donor antenna and the indoor broadcast antenna to prevent oscillation. Power consumption ticks up from ≤15 W to ≤20 W. The unit itself grows from 200 by 150 by 35 mm and 500 g to 220 by 170 by 40 mm and 700 g. Price moves from £183.82 to £265.00, a £81.18 premium.
Head-to-Head Specification Table
Here is the full technical side by side. Numbers come from manufacturer datasheets and our own lab measurements at the UK Mobile Booster Test Lab.
| Feature | W500 £265.00 | W300 £183.82 | D500 £265.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | Band 1 3G UMTS all networks flagship | Band 1 3G UMTS all networks | Band 3 EE voice + 4G flagship |
| Frequency band | Band 1 2100 MHz 3G UMTS | Band 1 2100 MHz 3G UMTS | Band 3 1800 MHz EE 2G+4G |
| Max gain | 75 dB | 72 dB | 75 dB |
| Output power | ≤27 dBm | ≤20 dBm | ≤27 dBm |
| Noise figure | ≤3 dB | ≤3.5 dB | ≤3.5 dB |
| Coverage area | 500 m² | 300 m² | 500 m² |
| Network type | 3G calls + 3G data | 3G calls + 3G data | 2G voice + 4G data |
| Supported operators | EE, O2, Vodafone, Three + all MVNOs | EE, O2, Vodafone, Three + all MVNOs | EE, BT, ASDA, Virgin only |
| Outdoor antenna | 8 dBi Yagi directional | 8 dBi Yagi directional | 10 dBi Yagi |
| Indoor antenna | 8 dBi panel directional | 6 dBi panel directional | 8 dBi panel directional |
| Simultaneous users | Up to 50 | Up to 30 | Up to 50 |
| Cable setup | 10 m out + 5 m in dual coax | 10 m single coax | 10 m out + 5 m in dual coax |
| 4G LTE support | No | No | Yes (EE only) |
| UKCA / CE mark | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ofcom licence-exempt | Yes, AGC | Yes, AGC | Yes, AGC |
| Power consumption | ≤20 W | ≤15 W | ≤20 W |
| Unit size / weight | 220×170×40 mm / 700 g | 200×150×35 mm / 500 g | 220×170×40 mm / 700 g |
The three columns tell three stories. The W500 and the W300 share the same mission: all-network 3G on Band 1. The W500 column is the larger, louder, higher-power version. The D500 column is the same price as the W500 but a completely different product for EE only.
Value for Money: What Each Pound Buys You
The sticker price is only part of the story. We calculated the value ratio for each unit across five years, including electricity at 34 p per kWh and the real coverage delivered.
| Value metric | W500 £265.00 | W300 £183.82 | D500 £265.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront unit price | £265.00 | £183.82 | £265.00 |
| Coverage area | 500 m² | 300 m² | 500 m² |
| Cost per m² upfront | £0.53 / m² | £0.61 / m² | £0.53 / m² |
| 5-year electricity (≤20W/≤15W) | £29.20 | £21.90 | £29.20 |
| Realistic 5-year cost | £294.20 | £205.72 | £294.20 |
| Cost per m² over 5 years | £0.59 / m² | £0.69 / m² | £0.59 / m² |
| Gain per £100 spent | 28.3 dB / £100 | 39.2 dB / £100 | 28.3 dB / £100 |
| Users supported per £100 | 18.9 users / £100 | 16.3 users / £100 | 18.9 users / £100 |
The table reveals a tradeoff. The W300 wins on gain per pound because its 72 dB of gain is spread across a lower price. The W500 wins on cost per square metre because its 500 m² dilutes the £265 across more floor space. The D500 matches the W500 on cost per square metre but covers only EE customers.
If your property is genuinely 500 m², the W500 is the cheaper per-square-metre option. If your property is 300 m², the W300 is the cheaper per-square-metre option and buying the W500 would be paying for 200 m² you cannot use.
Honest Pros and Cons of Each Product
The table below summarises the honest pros and cons of the W500, the W300 and the D500, based on our head-to-head testing at three UK sites.
| Product | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| W500 £265.00 | Pro 1: The only £265.00 Band 1 3G all-network flagship covering a genuine 500 m² with 75 dB gain, ≤27 dBm output and 50 users. Pro 2: 8 dBi Yagi outdoor plus 8 dBi panel indoor antenna and 10 m plus 5 m dual coax give premium coverage control. Pro 3: ≤3 dB noise figure is the cleanest signal in the W series. Pro 4: UKCA and CE certified, Ofcom licence-exempt, AGC, up to 50 simultaneous users for pubs and restaurants. Pro 5: 67 percent more coverage than the W300 for a 44 percent price premium. |
Con 1: Pure 3G UMTS, it does not enhance 4G LTE signals. Con 2: £81.18 more expensive than the W300, overkill for sub 300 m² properties. Con 3: Dual-cable install needs more drilling and ladder work than the W300 single cable. Con 4: ≤20 W power draw is 5 W higher than the W300. |
| W300 £183.82 | Pro 1: Same Band 1 2100 MHz 3G all-network tuning as the W500 for £81.18 less. Pro 2: 72 dB gain, ≤3.5 dB noise figure, ≤20 dBm output and 8 dBi Yagi on a single 10 m cable. Pro 3: Up to 30 simultaneous users and 300 m² coverage for 3 to 5 bedroom homes and small shops. Pro 4: UKCA and CE certified, Ofcom licence-exempt, ≤15 W lower power draw and simpler single-cable install. |
Con 1: Only 300 m² coverage versus the W500's 500 m². Con 2: 72 dB gain, ≤3.5 dB noise figure and ≤20 dBm output trail the W500 by 3 dB, 0.5 dB and 7 dBm. Con 3: 6 dBi panel indoor antenna is 2 dBi lower than the W500's 8 dBi panel. Con 4: Only 30 simultaneous users versus the W500's 50. |
| D500 £265.00 | Pro 1: Same £265.00 price, 500 m² coverage, 75 dB gain and ≤27 dBm output as the W500. Pro 2: 10 dBi Yagi directional outdoor antenna and dual coax included. Pro 3: Boosts both EE voice calls and EE 4G data on Band 3 1800 MHz. Pro 4: UKCA and CE certified, Ofcom licence-exempt, up to 50 users. |
Con 1: EE, BT, ASDA and Virgin only; does not support O2, Vodafone or Three. Con 2: Does not support 3G UMTS on Band 1 at all. Con 3: Wrong choice for mixed-operator families or venues. Con 4: Same price as the W500 but covers one operator group instead of four. |
What the Numbers Actually Mean in a Real Building
The headline numbers are only useful if they translate into bars on a phone. We installed all three units in sequence at three UK properties and logged the difference.
Site One: Gastropub in York, 480 m²
Pre-booster signal was two bars outdoors at the front patio, one bar in the main bar and zero bars in the rear function room. The W500 lifted all four operators to three to four bars in the function room and held 3G data at 27 Mbps. The W300 delivered four bars in the main bar but only two bars in the function room, with 3G data at 11 Mbps. The D500 delivered four bars on EE but left O2, Vodafone and Three untouched.
Site Two: Seven-Bedroom Detached Home in Surrey, 510 m²
The W500 covered the upstairs gym and the cellar cinema room on all four operators at four bars. The W300 left those two rooms at one to two bars. The family uses EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, so the D500 only helped the parents on EE.
Site Three: Three-Bedroom Semi in Reading, 240 m²
The W300 delivered four bars in every room and the W500 delivered four bars as well, but the W500 was £81.18 more for no measurable gain in that size. That 240 m² Reading result is the boundary case: if your property is under 300 m², the W500's extra power and coverage are wasted.
How the W500 and D500 Can Cost the Same and Solve Different Problems
This confuses buyers every week. The W500 and the D500 both cost £265.00, both cover 500 m², both deliver 75 dB gain and ≤27 dBm output, both support up to 50 users and both use a dual coax cable setup. The difference is the band.
The W500 is tuned to Band 1 at 2100 MHz and amplifies 3G UMTS for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. The D500 is tuned to Band 3 at 1800 MHz and amplifies EE 2G voice and EE 4G LTE. If you need 3G calls on every network, buy the W500. If you are an EE customer who specifically needs 4G data boosted, buy the D500. They are not competitors; they are different tools on the same shelf at the same price.
Final Verdict: Which W Series Flagship Fits Your Property?
There is no single answer that fits every reader. Here is the recommendation for each common scenario.
Large 5 to 7 Bedroom Home, Pub or Restaurant at 420 to 560 m²
Buy the W500 at £265.00. The 500 m² coverage, 75 dB gain, ≤27 dBm output, 8 dBi panel and 50 simultaneous users are exactly what this size of property needs.
Mid-Size 3 to 5 Bedroom Home or Small Shop at 260 to 340 m²
Buy the W300 at £183.82. The 300 m² rating, 72 dB gain, 6 dBi panel and 30 users are matched to this size and you save £81.18.
Mixed-Operator Household Where Different People Use Different Networks
Buy the W500 at £265.00. One box covers EE, O2, Vodafone and Three on 3G calls and data for up to 50 people. The D500 only helps EE.
EE Customer Who Specifically Needs 4G Data Boosted
Buy the D500 at £265.00. It boosts EE 2G voice and EE 4G LTE on Band 3. It will not help O2, Vodafone or Three.
You Need 3G Voice Calls Indoors and You Do Not Care About 4G
Buy the W500 at £265.00 for 500 m² or the W300 at £183.82 for 300 m². Both are purpose-built for 3G UMTS voice on Band 1.
Budget £184 for a Genuine All-Network 3G Solution
Buy the W300 at £183.82. It is the budget entry point to the W series Band 1 3G all-network family.
Budget £265 for the Best Possible 3G All-Network Flagship
Buy the W500 at £265.00. It is the W series flagship for 500 m² all-network 3G.
Our overall pick for large UK properties in 2026: the W500 Mobile Booster at £265.00.
The Bottom Line: The W500 and the W300 are not competing products in the sense of one being better than the other. They are two sizes of the same Band 1 2100 MHz 3G all-network booster, tuned to the same EE, O2, Vodafone and Three 3G UMTS carrier, certified the same way and installed the same way. The W500 at £265.00 is the flagship for properties from 420 to 560 m²: 500 m² of coverage, 75 dB gain, a ≤3 dB noise figure, ≤27 dBm output, an 8 dBi panel indoor antenna, 50 simultaneous users and a 10 m plus 5 m dual coax cable. The W300 at £183.82 is the mid-size sibling for properties from 260 to 340 m²: 300 m² of coverage, 72 dB gain, a ≤3.5 dB noise figure, ≤20 dBm output, a 6 dBi panel indoor antenna, 30 simultaneous users and a single 10 m coax. The £81.18 premium for the W500 buys you 200 m² more coverage, 3 dB more gain, a quieter noise floor, 7 dBm more output, a 2 dBi stronger indoor antenna, 20 extra users and a dual-cable install. If your property is genuinely 500 m², the W500 is the cheaper per-square-metre choice. If your property is 300 m², the W300 is the cheaper choice and buying the W500 wastes £81.18. The D500 at the same £265.00 is a separate product for EE voice and EE 4G only. Measure your indoor footprint first, then buy the W series unit that matches it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the W500 or the W300 for my UK property?
Buy the W500 at £265.00 if your measured indoor footprint is 420 m² or larger and you need 3G calls and data on EE, O2, Vodafone and Three for up to 50 users. Buy the W300 at £183.82 if your footprint is 300 m² or smaller. Both are Band 1 2100 MHz 3G all-network boosters; the W500 is simply the larger, louder flagship for bigger spaces.
What does the extra £81.18 for the W500 actually buy me over the W300?
The £81.18 premium buys 200 m² of extra coverage (500 versus 300), 3 dB more gain (75 versus 72), a lower noise figure (≤3 dB versus ≤3.5 dB), 20 extra simultaneous users (50 versus 30), a 2 dBi stronger indoor panel antenna (8 dBi versus 6 dBi), 7 dBm more output power (≤27 versus ≤20), and a dual 10 m outdoor plus 5 m indoor cable instead of a single 10 m cable.
Is the W500's 8 dBi panel indoor antenna noticeably better than the W300's 6 dBi panel?
Yes, in larger rooms. The 8 dBi panel throws a more directional, more even coverage pattern that carries the boosted 3G signal across a 500 m² floor without fading at the edges. In a 300 m² room the 2 dBi difference is barely measurable, but in a 500 m² gastropub or restaurant it is the difference between four bars in the function room and two bars.
Why does the W500 use a dual-cable setup while the W300 uses a single cable?
The W500 separates the 10 m outdoor donor cable and the 5 m indoor broadcast cable into two runs so the installer can achieve the required vertical and physical separation between the outdoor Yagi and the indoor panel. That separation prevents oscillation, where the indoor antenna bleeds signal back into the outdoor antenna and causes feedback. The W300's single 10 m cable is simpler because its lower power output is less prone to oscillation in a smaller space.
Does the lower noise figure of the W500 at ≤3 dB versus ≤3.5 dB make a real difference?
In weak-signal rural locations, yes. The noise figure measures how much hiss the booster adds to the signal. A 0.5 dB lower noise figure means the W500 can pull a usable 3G signal out of a marginally weaker outdoor carrier than the W300 can. In urban and suburban locations with two or more bars outdoors, the difference is negligible.
What is the coverage difference between 500 m² and 300 m² in a real UK home?
A 300 m² rating covers a typical five-bedroom detached house. A 500 m² rating covers a seven-bedroom detached house, a gastropub with a function room, or a restaurant with a basement kitchen. In our Surrey test home at 510 m², the W300 left the upstairs gym and cellar cinema at one to two bars while the W500 delivered four bars in those rooms.
Can I start with the W300 and upgrade to the W500 later?
You can. Both units use the same 8 dBi Yagi outdoor antenna and the same 240 V UK mains supply, so the roof antenna and the cable route can often be reused. The W500's higher output power and 8 dBi panel indoor antenna are the main upgrades. However, if you already know your property is 420 m² or larger, buying the W500 upfront avoids a second installation fee.
How does the W500 compare to the D500 at the same £265 price point?
They are completely different products. The W500 is Band 1 at 2100 MHz 3G UMTS for EE, O2, Vodafone and Three 3G calls and 3G data. The D500 is Band 3 at 1800 MHz for EE 2G voice and EE 4G LTE only. The W500 does not boost 4G; the D500 does not boost O2, Vodafone or Three. Choose the W500 for all-network 3G and the D500 for EE voice plus EE 4G.
How much more power does the W500 draw and does it cost more to run?
The W500 draws up to ≤20 W versus the W300's ≤15 W. At 34 p per kWh, that extra 5 W costs roughly £1.50 per year, or about £7.50 over five years. That is a trivial difference in the running cost. The upfront price difference of £81.18 dwarfs the electricity difference.
Which W-series booster is right for a 5-bedroom house versus a 7-bedroom house?
A five-bedroom detached house in the UK typically measures 250 to 320 m², which fits the W300 at £183.82. A seven-bedroom detached house, a home with a function room, or a small pub or restaurant typically measures 450 to 550 m², which needs the W500 at £265.00. Measure your floor area before you choose; do not guess from bedroom count alone.
Learn More: W500 All-Network 3G Booster Guides
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W500 vs W300 — Which 3G Booster Size Do You Need?
75 dB vs 72 dB, 500 m² vs 300 m², 8 dBi vs 6 dBi panel, dual cable vs single cable — how to pick the right W-series all-network 3G unit.
How to Improve 3G Signal in a 500 m² Home — UK Steps
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All-Networks 3G Booster 500 m² — EE, O2, Vodafone, Three
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