TP-Link Deco M5 vs TP-Link Deco XE75
The Deco XE75 is the better router on paper: it has newer Wi-Fi 6E, is tri-band and covers more ground per unit. Pick the Deco M5 only if it matters to you that it needs no subscription.
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Key differences
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Wi-Fi
Deco XE75 wins
The TP-Link Deco XE75 has Wi-Fi 6E against Wi-Fi 5.
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Coverage
Deco XE75 wins
The TP-Link Deco XE75 claims 2,400 sq ft per unit against 2,000 sq ft.
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Wired
Evenly matched
Both top out at 1 Gbps with a similar number of ports.
-
Security & VPN
Deco M5 wins
The TP-Link Deco M5 has the edge: no subscription; the TP-Link Deco XE75 keeps some features behind HomeShield Pro.
Other differences
- Wi-Fi standard Deco XE75 wins
The Deco XE75 uses the newer Wi-Fi 6E against Wi-Fi 5 on the Deco M5, which brings the uncrowded 6 GHz band for newer devices.
- Bands Deco XE75 wins
The Deco XE75 is tri-band, so it can keep a band for the link between units; the Deco M5 is dual-band and shares that link with your devices.
- Coverage Deco XE75 wins
The Deco XE75 claims 2,400 sq ft per unit against 2,000 sq ft for the Deco M5. Claims are for open space, so treat them as a comparison, not a promise.
- Subscription Deco M5 wins
The Deco XE75 keeps some security or parental features behind HomeShield Pro, a paid subscription. The Deco M5 includes its features at no extra cost.
- 5 GHz speed Deco XE75 wins
The Deco XE75 is rated for 2,402 Mbps on 5 GHz against 867 Mbps, the band most devices use.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Deco M5 if…
- You'd rather not pay monthly: its security and parental features need no subscription.
- You prefer its app and design: it covers the same essentials as the Deco XE75.
Choose the Deco XE75 if…
- You want the newer standard: it has Wi-Fi 6E, with the uncrowded 6 GHz band for newer devices.
- Your units will link over Wi-Fi: its extra band carries that link without slowing your devices.
- You have a bigger home to cover: it claims 2,400 sq ft per unit.
- You want more speed on the band most devices use: it's rated for 2,402 Mbps on 5 GHz.
Full spec comparison
The Deco M5 leads on software and security, while the Deco XE75 leads on Wi-Fi, coverage and wired ports.
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 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | TP-Link | TP-Link |
| Model number | Deco M5 | Deco XE75 |
| Hardware version | V2 | V3.60 |
| Type | Mesh Wi-Fi System | Mesh Wi-Fi System |
| Released | — | 2022 |
| Pack options | 1-pack, 2-pack, 3-pack | 1-pack, 2-pack, 3-pack |
| UPC / GTIN | 845973080839, 6935364080839, 6935364083281 | 840030707148, 840030706387 |
Wi-Fi
The Deco XE75 is ahead on Wi-Fi.
It has newer Wi-Fi 6E, is tri-band and is faster on 5 GHz, and the Deco M5 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Speed class | AC1300 | AXE5400 |
| Bands | Dual-band | Tri-band |
| Radios | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
| Total Wi-Fi speed | 1,300 Mbps | 5,400 Mbps |
| 2.4 GHz speed | 400 Mbps | 574 Mbps |
| 5 GHz speed | 867 Mbps | 2,402 Mbps |
| 6 GHz speed | — | 2,402 Mbps |
| Max channel width | — | 160 MHz |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | No | No |
| 320 MHz on 6 GHz | No | No |
| Modulation | — | 1024-QAM |
| Spatial streams | — | 6 streams (2x2 MU-MIMO) |
| MU-MIMO | Yes | Yes |
| OFDMA | No | Yes |
| Beamforming | Yes | Yes |
Coverage
The Deco XE75 is ahead on coverage.
It covers more ground per unit and handles more devices (200), and the Deco M5 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage (per unit) | 2,000 sq ft | 2,400 sq ft |
| Max devices | 100 | 200 |
| Antennas | 4 | 4 |
| Antenna type | Internal | Internal |
Ports
The Deco XE75 is ahead on wired ports.
It has more LAN ports (2), and the Deco M5 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| WAN ports | 1x 1G (either port; WAN/LAN auto-sensing) | 1x 1G (shared auto-sensing port) |
| LAN ports | 1x 1G (remaining port; WAN/LAN auto-sensing) | 2x 1G (3 auto-sensing ports per unit, one used as WAN) |
| 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 |
| Link aggregation | — | No |
| Dual-WAN failover | — | No |
Hardware
Both are evenly matched on hardware and support.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core | Quad-core 1.7 GHz |
| RAM | — | 512 MB |
Mesh
Little separates them on mesh and backhaul.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh support | Yes | Yes |
| Mesh ecosystem | Deco (TP-Link Mesh) | Deco (TP-Link Mesh); works with all Deco models |
| Wired backhaul | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated backhaul band | — | Yes |
Software & security
The Deco M5 is ahead on software and security.
It needs no subscription, and the Deco XE75 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Management | Deco app (local and remote management) | Deco app (local and remote) + web UI |
| Web interface | — | Yes |
| VPN server | — | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec |
| VPN client | — | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec |
| Security suite | HomeCare (Trend Micro antivirus, malicious site checker, intrusion prevention) | TP-Link HomeShield |
| Subscription | None; HomeCare free for the life of the device | HomeShield Pro plan is paid; Basic plan free (basic security scan, IoT identification, basic parental controls, QoS, reports) |
| 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 | SPI |
| IoT network | — | Yes |
| Gaming features | — | None |
| LEDs can be turned off | — | Yes |
| Smart home | — | None (Tapo/Kasa device onboarding only) |
| Voice assistants | Alexa | Alexa |
Design & power
Both are similar on design and power.
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 120 x 38 mm | 105 x 105 x 169 mm |
| Weight | — | 530 g |
| Color | White | White and black |
| Power | 12 V / 1.2 A DC adapter | 12 V / 2 A DC adapter (US, 100-240 V input) |
| Power consumption | — | 25.96 W |
| Weather rating | — | Indoor only |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
Support
| Spec | TP-Link Deco M5 | TP-Link Deco XE75 |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty (US) | 2 years | 2 years |