TP-Link Deco M5 vs eero 6
The eero 6 has the edge: it has newer Wi-Fi 6, has a Thread border router and has gaming features. The TP-Link Deco M5 still covers more ground per unit and needs no subscription, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Wi-Fi
eero 6 wins
The eero 6 has Wi-Fi 6 against Wi-Fi 5.
-
Coverage
TP-Link Deco M5 wins
The TP-Link Deco M5 claims 2,000 sq ft per unit against 1,500 sq ft.
-
Wired
Evenly matched
Both top out at 1 Gbps with a similar number of ports.
-
Security & VPN
TP-Link Deco M5 wins
The TP-Link Deco M5 has the edge: no subscription; the eero 6 keeps some features behind eero Plus.
Other differences
- Wi-Fi standard eero 6 wins
The eero 6 uses the newer Wi-Fi 6 against Wi-Fi 5 on the TP-Link Deco M5, which brings better handling of many devices at once.
- Coverage TP-Link Deco M5 wins
The TP-Link Deco M5 claims 2,000 sq ft per unit against 1,500 sq ft for the eero 6. Claims are for open space, so treat them as a comparison, not a promise.
- Subscription TP-Link Deco M5 wins
The eero 6 keeps some security or parental features behind eero Plus, a paid subscription. The TP-Link Deco M5 includes its features at no extra cost.
- Smart home eero 6 wins
The eero 6 has a built-in Thread border router for Matter smart home devices; the TP-Link Deco M5 doesn't.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the TP-Link Deco M5 if…
- You have a bigger home to cover: it claims 2,000 sq ft per unit.
- You'd rather not pay monthly: its security and parental features need no subscription.
- You want peace of mind: it has a 2-year warranty.
Choose the eero 6 if…
- You want the newer standard: it has Wi-Fi 6, with better handling of many devices at once.
- You use Matter or Thread smart home gear: it has a Thread border router built in.
- You game online: it puts game traffic first to cut lag spikes.
Full spec comparison
The TP-Link Deco M5 leads on coverage, while the eero 6 leads on Wi-Fi.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | TP-Link | eero |
| Model number | Deco M5 | N010001 |
| Hardware version | V2 | single version |
| Type | Mesh Wi-Fi System | Mesh Wi-Fi System |
| Released | — | 2020 |
| Pack options | 1-pack, 2-pack, 3-pack | 1-pack, 2-pack, 3-pack |
| UPC / GTIN | 845973080839, 6935364080839, 6935364083281 | — |
Wi-Fi
The eero 6 is ahead on Wi-Fi.
It has newer Wi-Fi 6, and the TP-Link Deco M5 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Speed class | AC1300 | AX1800 |
| Bands | Dual-band | Dual-band |
| Radios | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Total Wi-Fi speed | 1,300 Mbps | 1,775 Mbps |
| 2.4 GHz speed | 400 Mbps | 574 Mbps |
| 5 GHz speed | 867 Mbps | 1,201 Mbps |
| Max channel width | — | 80 MHz |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | No | No |
| 320 MHz on 6 GHz | No | No |
| Spatial streams | — | 2x2 + 2x2 (4 spatial streams) |
| MU-MIMO | Yes | Yes |
| OFDMA | No | Yes |
| Beamforming | Yes | Yes |
Coverage
The TP-Link Deco M5 is ahead on coverage.
It covers more ground per unit, and the eero 6 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage (per unit) | 2,000 sq ft | 1,500 sq ft |
| Max devices | 100 | 75 |
| Antennas | 4 | — |
| Antenna type | Internal | — |
Ports
Both have much the same wired ports.
You can plug in the same devices at the same speeds on either.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| WAN ports | 1x 1G (either port; WAN/LAN auto-sensing) | 1x 1G (auto-sensing; either port can be WAN) |
| LAN ports | 1x 1G (remaining port; WAN/LAN auto-sensing) | 1x 1G (second auto-sensing port; 2 ports total) |
| Fastest wired port | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| Multi-gig ports | 0 | 0 |
| SFP ports | None | None |
| USB ports | — | None |
| Cellular / tethering | None | None |
| Configurable WAN/LAN | Yes | Yes |
Hardware
The TP-Link Deco M5 is ahead on hardware and support.
It has a longer warranty, and the eero 6 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core | Quad-core 1.2 GHz |
| RAM | — | 512 MB |
| Flash storage | — | 4,096 MB |
Mesh
Little separates them on mesh and backhaul.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh support | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh ecosystem | Deco (TP-Link Mesh) | eero (TrueMesh) |
| Wired backhaul | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated backhaul band | — | No |
Software & security
Each router has its strengths on software and security.
The TP-Link Deco M5 needs no subscription, while the eero 6 has a Thread border router and has gaming features.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Management | Deco app (local and remote management) | eero app (iOS/Android) |
| Web interface | — | No |
| Security suite | HomeCare (Trend Micro antivirus, malicious site checker, intrusion prevention) | eero Plus |
| Subscription | None; HomeCare free for the life of the device | eero Plus (paid subscription) for the security suite: content filters, ad blocking, Guardian VPN, partner services; Dynamic DNS also needs Plus. Basic features, scheduling and profiles are free. |
| Parental controls | Yes | Yes |
| QoS | Yes | Yes |
| Guest network | Yes | Yes |
| ISP VLAN tagging | Yes | Yes |
| PPPoE | Yes | Yes |
| IPv6 | Yes | Yes |
| WPA3 | No | Yes |
| Firewall | SPI Firewall | Built-in firewall (type not specified) |
| Gaming features | — | Optimize for conferencing and gaming (eero Labs) |
| LEDs can be turned off | — | Yes |
| Smart home | — | Zigbee hub, Thread (OpenThread), Bluetooth LE 5.0 |
| Voice assistants | Alexa | Alexa |
Design & power
Both are similar on design and power.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 120 x 38 mm | 99.4 x 97.0 x 61.4 mm |
| Weight | — | 299 g |
| Color | White | — |
| Power | 12 V / 1.2 A DC adapter | 15 W external power adapter (100-240V AC, 50-60 Hz) |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
Support
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | eero 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty (US) | 2 years | 1 year |