The Linksys Hydra Pro 6E outperforms the TP-Link Deco M5 on speed and future-proofing with its tri-band Wi-Fi 6E design reaching 5.4 Gbps versus the Deco M5's 1.3 Gbps dual-band limit per manufacturer specs and CNET testing. The Deco M5 remains a cheaper entry for light use but trails on features and longevity. Linksys wins for most users needing modern mesh performance.