If you use the 0 confirmations option, the funds won't wait for any specific confirmation before moving on to the next address. Funds with this option usually arrive within 5-10 minutes with the 5 hops option.
Wouldn't this be easier to spot since the transaction pattern would be clearer since the last transaction will not be confirmed until its parent does which means that all transactions may be confirmed in the same block (if the fees are high) or the user may wait longer.
You raise an important point. Indeed, using the 0 confirmation option can make transactions more easily identifiable as automated, since inputs are spent even when unconfirmed. This could potentially compromise the intended anonymity.
It's generally recommended to use at least one confirmation for each transaction hop. This introduces a natural delay between transactions, making the pattern less obvious and harder to distinguish from normal transactions.
However, using 0 confirmations has the advantage of being faster (5-10 minutes for 5 hops as mentioned). So it's a trade-off between speed and discretion. For maximum anonymity, it's preferable to opt for at least one confirmation per hop, even if this extends the process.