diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index 629d8c1238..b7cac68cd7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -1062,8 +1062,8 @@ void WiFiComponent::check_connecting_finished() {
     this->state_ = WIFI_COMPONENT_STATE_STA_CONNECTED;
     this->num_retried_ = 0;
 
-    // Reset all priorities if they're all the same (can't differentiate)
-    this->reset_priorities_if_all_same_();
+    // Clear priority tracking if all priorities are identical
+    this->clear_priorities_if_all_same_();
 
 #ifdef USE_WIFI_FAST_CONNECT
     this->save_fast_connect_settings_();
@@ -1293,9 +1293,9 @@ bool WiFiComponent::transition_to_phase_(WiFiRetryPhase new_phase) {
   return false;  // Did not start scan, can proceed with connection
 }
 
-/// Reset all BSSID priorities if they're all identical (can't differentiate)
+/// Clear BSSID priority tracking if all priorities are identical (can't differentiate, saves memory)
 /// Called when starting a fresh connection attempt or after successful connection
-void WiFiComponent::reset_priorities_if_all_same_() {
+void WiFiComponent::clear_priorities_if_all_same_() {
   if (this->sta_priorities_.empty()) {
     return;
   }
@@ -1360,8 +1360,8 @@ void WiFiComponent::log_and_adjust_priority_for_failed_connect_() {
            format_mac_address_pretty(failed_bssid.value().data()).c_str(), old_priority, new_priority);
 
   // After adjusting priority, check if all priorities are now identical
-  // If so, reset them all to 0 to start fresh
-  this->reset_priorities_if_all_same_();
+  // If so, clear the vector to save memory
+  this->clear_priorities_if_all_same_();
 }
 
 /// Handle target advancement or retry counter increment when staying in the same phase
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
index c0616c2076..84dfa57ab1 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h
@@ -383,8 +383,8 @@ class WiFiComponent : public Component {
   int8_t find_next_hidden_sta_(int8_t start_index, bool include_explicit_hidden = true);
   /// Log failed connection and decrease BSSID priority to avoid repeated attempts
   void log_and_adjust_priority_for_failed_connect_();
-  /// Reset all BSSID priorities to 0 if they're all identical (can't differentiate)
-  void reset_priorities_if_all_same_();
+  /// Clear BSSID priority tracking if all priorities are identical (saves memory)
+  void clear_priorities_if_all_same_();
   /// Advance to next target (AP/SSID) within current phase, or increment retry counter
   /// Called when staying in the same phase after a failed connection attempt
   void advance_to_next_target_or_increment_retry_();
diff --git a/tests/components/wifi/common.yaml b/tests/components/wifi/common.yaml
index af27f85092..5d9973cbc8 100644
--- a/tests/components/wifi/common.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/wifi/common.yaml
@@ -15,5 +15,10 @@ wifi:
   networks:
     - ssid: MySSID
       password: password1
+      priority: 10
     - ssid: MySSID2
       password: password2
+      priority: 5
+    - ssid: MySSID3
+      password: password3
+      priority: 0