diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.cpp
index 0c340c55cc..41a90150ef 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.cpp
@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@ void ESP32BLE::advertising_set_service_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
 }
 
 void ESP32BLE::advertising_set_manufacturer_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
+  this->advertising_set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t>(data));
+}
+
+void ESP32BLE::advertising_set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t> data) {
   this->advertising_init_();
   this->advertising_->set_manufacturer_data(data);
   this->advertising_start();
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.h b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.h
index 1aa3bc86ef..b49e5d12ee 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble.h
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ class ESP32BLE : public Component {
   void advertising_start();
   void advertising_set_service_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data);
   void advertising_set_manufacturer_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data);
+  void advertising_set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t> data);
   void advertising_set_appearance(uint16_t appearance) { this->appearance_ = appearance; }
   void advertising_set_service_data_and_name(std::span<const uint8_t> data, bool include_name);
   void advertising_add_service_uuid(ESPBTUUID uuid);
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.cpp
index df70768c23..3bc0fabe7e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.cpp
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ void BLEAdvertising::set_service_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
 }
 
 void BLEAdvertising::set_manufacturer_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
+  this->set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t>(data));
+}
+
+void BLEAdvertising::set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t> data) {
   delete[] this->advertising_data_.p_manufacturer_data;
   this->advertising_data_.p_manufacturer_data = nullptr;
   this->advertising_data_.manufacturer_len = data.size();
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.h b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.h
index 7a31d926f6..70d58d5ce9 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble/ble_advertising.h
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ class BLEAdvertising {
   void set_scan_response(bool scan_response) { this->scan_response_ = scan_response; }
   void set_min_preferred_interval(uint16_t interval) { this->advertising_data_.min_interval = interval; }
   void set_manufacturer_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data);
+  void set_manufacturer_data(std::span<const uint8_t> data);
   void set_appearance(uint16_t appearance) { this->advertising_data_.appearance = appearance; }
   void set_service_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data);
   void set_service_data(std::span<const uint8_t> data);
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.cpp b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.cpp
index 25cc97eeaf..0e3a3b4a49 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ bool BLEServer::can_proceed() { return this->is_running() || !this->parent_->is_
 
 void BLEServer::restart_advertising_() {
   if (this->is_running()) {
-    this->parent_->advertising_set_manufacturer_data(this->manufacturer_data_);
+    this->parent_->advertising_set_manufacturer_data(
+        std::span<const uint8_t>(this->manufacturer_data_.get(), this->manufacturer_data_length_));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.h b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.h
index 6fa86dd67f..788ad377ef 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.h
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_ble_server/ble_server.h
@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ class BLEServer : public Component, public GATTsEventHandler, public BLEStatusEv
   bool is_running();
 
   void set_manufacturer_data(const std::vector<uint8_t> &data) {
-    this->manufacturer_data_ = data;
+    this->manufacturer_data_length_ = data.size();
+    this->manufacturer_data_.reset(data.empty() ? nullptr : new uint8_t[data.size()]);
+    if (!data.empty()) {
+      memcpy(this->manufacturer_data_.get(), data.data(), data.size());
+    }
     this->restart_advertising_();
   }
 
@@ -87,24 +91,27 @@ class BLEServer : public Component, public GATTsEventHandler, public BLEStatusEv
   void remove_client_(uint16_t conn_id);
   void dispatch_callbacks_(CallbackType type, uint16_t conn_id);
 
+  // 4-byte aligned (pointers and vectors on 32-bit)
   std::vector<CallbackEntry> callbacks_;
-
-  std::vector<uint8_t> manufacturer_data_{};
-  esp_gatt_if_t gatts_if_{0};
-  bool registered_{false};
-
-  uint16_t clients_[USE_ESP32_BLE_MAX_CONNECTIONS]{};
-  uint8_t client_count_{0};
   std::vector<ServiceEntry> services_{};
   std::vector<BLEService *> services_to_start_{};
+  std::unique_ptr<uint8_t[]> manufacturer_data_{};
   BLEService *device_information_service_{};
 
+  // 2-byte aligned
+  uint16_t clients_[USE_ESP32_BLE_MAX_CONNECTIONS]{};
+
+  // 1-byte aligned
+  uint8_t manufacturer_data_length_{0};
+  uint8_t client_count_{0};
+  esp_gatt_if_t gatts_if_{0};
   enum State : uint8_t {
     INIT = 0x00,
     REGISTERING,
     STARTING_SERVICE,
     RUNNING,
   } state_{INIT};
+  bool registered_{false};
 };
 
 // NOLINTNEXTLINE(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/light_call.cpp b/esphome/components/light/light_call.cpp
index cbe9ed0454..361dc58acc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/light_call.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/light/light_call.cpp
@@ -10,11 +10,15 @@ namespace light {
 static const char *const TAG = "light";
 
 // Helper functions to reduce code size for logging
-#if ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL >= ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL_WARN
-static void log_validation_warning(const char *name, const LogString *param_name, float val, float min, float max) {
-  ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s': %s value %.2f is out of range [%.1f - %.1f]", name, LOG_STR_ARG(param_name), val, min, max);
+static void clamp_and_log_if_invalid(const char *name, float &value, const LogString *param_name, float min = 0.0f,
+                                     float max = 1.0f) {
+  if (value < min || value > max) {
+    ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s': %s value %.2f is out of range [%.1f - %.1f]", name, LOG_STR_ARG(param_name), value, min, max);
+    value = clamp(value, min, max);
+  }
 }
 
+#if ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL >= ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL_WARN
 static void log_feature_not_supported(const char *name, const LogString *feature) {
   ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s': %s not supported", name, LOG_STR_ARG(feature));
 }
@@ -27,7 +31,6 @@ static void log_invalid_parameter(const char *name, const LogString *message) {
   ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s': %s", name, LOG_STR_ARG(message));
 }
 #else
-#define log_validation_warning(name, param_name, val, min, max)
 #define log_feature_not_supported(name, feature)
 #define log_color_mode_not_supported(name, feature)
 #define log_invalid_parameter(name, message)
@@ -44,7 +47,7 @@ static void log_invalid_parameter(const char *name, const LogString *message) {
   } \
   LightCall &LightCall::set_##name(type name) { \
     this->name##_ = name; \
-    this->set_flag_(flag, true); \
+    this->set_flag_(flag); \
     return *this; \
   }
 
@@ -181,6 +184,16 @@ void LightCall::perform() {
   }
 }
 
+void LightCall::log_and_clear_unsupported_(FieldFlags flag, const LogString *feature, bool use_color_mode_log) {
+  auto *name = this->parent_->get_name().c_str();
+  if (use_color_mode_log) {
+    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, feature);
+  } else {
+    log_feature_not_supported(name, feature);
+  }
+  this->clear_flag_(flag);
+}
+
 LightColorValues LightCall::validate_() {
   auto *name = this->parent_->get_name().c_str();
   auto traits = this->parent_->get_traits();
@@ -188,141 +201,108 @@ LightColorValues LightCall::validate_() {
   // Color mode check
   if (this->has_color_mode() && !traits.supports_color_mode(this->color_mode_)) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s' does not support color mode %s", name, LOG_STR_ARG(color_mode_to_human(this->color_mode_)));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_MODE, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_MODE);
   }
 
   // Ensure there is always a color mode set
   if (!this->has_color_mode()) {
     this->color_mode_ = this->compute_color_mode_();
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_MODE, true);
+    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_MODE);
   }
   auto color_mode = this->color_mode_;
 
   // Transform calls that use non-native parameters for the current mode.
   this->transform_parameters_();
 
-  // Brightness exists check
-  if (this->has_brightness() && this->brightness_ > 0.0f && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::BRIGHTNESS)) {
-    log_feature_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("brightness"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_BRIGHTNESS, false);
-  }
-
-  // Transition length possible check
-  if (this->has_transition_() && this->transition_length_ != 0 && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::BRIGHTNESS)) {
-    log_feature_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("transitions"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, false);
-  }
-
-  // Color brightness exists check
-  if (this->has_color_brightness() && this->color_brightness_ > 0.0f && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::RGB)) {
-    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("RGB brightness"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_BRIGHTNESS, false);
-  }
-
-  // RGB exists check
-  if ((this->has_red() && this->red_ > 0.0f) || (this->has_green() && this->green_ > 0.0f) ||
-      (this->has_blue() && this->blue_ > 0.0f)) {
-    if (!(color_mode & ColorCapability::RGB)) {
-      log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("RGB color"));
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_RED, false);
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_GREEN, false);
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_BLUE, false);
-    }
-  }
-
-  // White value exists check
-  if (this->has_white() && this->white_ > 0.0f &&
-      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::WHITE || color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE)) {
-    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("white value"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_WHITE, false);
-  }
-
-  // Color temperature exists check
-  if (this->has_color_temperature() &&
-      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::COLOR_TEMPERATURE || color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE)) {
-    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("color temperature"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_TEMPERATURE, false);
-  }
-
-  // Cold/warm white value exists check
-  if ((this->has_cold_white() && this->cold_white_ > 0.0f) || (this->has_warm_white() && this->warm_white_ > 0.0f)) {
-    if (!(color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE)) {
-      log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("cold/warm white value"));
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLD_WHITE, false);
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_WARM_WHITE, false);
-    }
-  }
-
-#define VALIDATE_RANGE_(name_, upper_name, min, max) \
-  if (this->has_##name_()) { \
-    auto val = this->name_##_; \
-    if (val < (min) || val > (max)) { \
-      log_validation_warning(name, LOG_STR(upper_name), val, (min), (max)); \
-      this->name_##_ = clamp(val, (min), (max)); \
-    } \
-  }
-#define VALIDATE_RANGE(name, upper_name) VALIDATE_RANGE_(name, upper_name, 0.0f, 1.0f)
-
-  // Range checks
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(brightness, "Brightness")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(color_brightness, "Color brightness")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(red, "Red")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(green, "Green")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(blue, "Blue")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(white, "White")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(cold_white, "Cold white")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE(warm_white, "Warm white")
-  VALIDATE_RANGE_(color_temperature, "Color temperature", traits.get_min_mireds(), traits.get_max_mireds())
-
+  // Business logic adjustments before validation
   // Flag whether an explicit turn off was requested, in which case we'll also stop the effect.
   bool explicit_turn_off_request = this->has_state() && !this->state_;
 
   // Turn off when brightness is set to zero, and reset brightness (so that it has nonzero brightness when turned on).
   if (this->has_brightness() && this->brightness_ == 0.0f) {
     this->state_ = false;
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_STATE, true);
+    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_STATE);
     this->brightness_ = 1.0f;
   }
 
   // Set color brightness to 100% if currently zero and a color is set.
-  if (this->has_red() || this->has_green() || this->has_blue()) {
-    if (!this->has_color_brightness() && this->parent_->remote_values.get_color_brightness() == 0.0f) {
-      this->color_brightness_ = 1.0f;
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_BRIGHTNESS, true);
-    }
+  if ((this->has_red() || this->has_green() || this->has_blue()) && !this->has_color_brightness() &&
+      this->parent_->remote_values.get_color_brightness() == 0.0f) {
+    this->color_brightness_ = 1.0f;
+    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_BRIGHTNESS);
   }
 
-  // Create color values for the light with this call applied.
+  // Capability validation
+  if (this->has_brightness() && this->brightness_ > 0.0f && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::BRIGHTNESS))
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_BRIGHTNESS, LOG_STR("brightness"), false);
+
+  // Transition length possible check
+  if (this->has_transition_() && this->transition_length_ != 0 && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::BRIGHTNESS))
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, LOG_STR("transitions"), false);
+
+  if (this->has_color_brightness() && this->color_brightness_ > 0.0f && !(color_mode & ColorCapability::RGB))
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_BRIGHTNESS, LOG_STR("RGB brightness"), true);
+
+  // RGB exists check
+  if (((this->has_red() && this->red_ > 0.0f) || (this->has_green() && this->green_ > 0.0f) ||
+       (this->has_blue() && this->blue_ > 0.0f)) &&
+      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::RGB)) {
+    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("RGB color"));
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_RED);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_GREEN);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_BLUE);
+  }
+
+  // White value exists check
+  if (this->has_white() && this->white_ > 0.0f &&
+      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::WHITE || color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE))
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_WHITE, LOG_STR("white value"), true);
+
+  // Color temperature exists check
+  if (this->has_color_temperature() &&
+      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::COLOR_TEMPERATURE || color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE))
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_COLOR_TEMPERATURE, LOG_STR("color temperature"), true);
+
+  // Cold/warm white value exists check
+  if (((this->has_cold_white() && this->cold_white_ > 0.0f) || (this->has_warm_white() && this->warm_white_ > 0.0f)) &&
+      !(color_mode & ColorCapability::COLD_WARM_WHITE)) {
+    log_color_mode_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("cold/warm white value"));
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLD_WHITE);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_WARM_WHITE);
+  }
+
+  // Create color values and validate+apply ranges in one step to eliminate duplicate checks
   auto v = this->parent_->remote_values;
   if (this->has_color_mode())
     v.set_color_mode(this->color_mode_);
   if (this->has_state())
     v.set_state(this->state_);
-  if (this->has_brightness())
-    v.set_brightness(this->brightness_);
-  if (this->has_color_brightness())
-    v.set_color_brightness(this->color_brightness_);
-  if (this->has_red())
-    v.set_red(this->red_);
-  if (this->has_green())
-    v.set_green(this->green_);
-  if (this->has_blue())
-    v.set_blue(this->blue_);
-  if (this->has_white())
-    v.set_white(this->white_);
-  if (this->has_color_temperature())
-    v.set_color_temperature(this->color_temperature_);
-  if (this->has_cold_white())
-    v.set_cold_white(this->cold_white_);
-  if (this->has_warm_white())
-    v.set_warm_white(this->warm_white_);
+
+#define VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(field, setter, name_str, ...) \
+  if (this->has_##field()) { \
+    clamp_and_log_if_invalid(name, this->field##_, LOG_STR(name_str), ##__VA_ARGS__); \
+    v.setter(this->field##_); \
+  }
+
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(brightness, set_brightness, "Brightness")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(color_brightness, set_color_brightness, "Color brightness")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(red, set_red, "Red")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(green, set_green, "Green")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(blue, set_blue, "Blue")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(white, set_white, "White")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(cold_white, set_cold_white, "Cold white")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(warm_white, set_warm_white, "Warm white")
+  VALIDATE_AND_APPLY(color_temperature, set_color_temperature, "Color temperature", traits.get_min_mireds(),
+                     traits.get_max_mireds())
+
+#undef VALIDATE_AND_APPLY
 
   v.normalize_color();
 
   // Flash length check
   if (this->has_flash_() && this->flash_length_ == 0) {
-    log_invalid_parameter(name, LOG_STR("flash length must be greater than zero"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_FLASH, false);
+    log_invalid_parameter(name, LOG_STR("flash length must be >= zero"));
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_FLASH);
   }
 
   // validate transition length/flash length/effect not used at the same time
@@ -330,42 +310,40 @@ LightColorValues LightCall::validate_() {
 
   // If effect is already active, remove effect start
   if (this->has_effect_() && this->effect_ == this->parent_->active_effect_index_) {
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT);
   }
 
   // validate effect index
   if (this->has_effect_() && this->effect_ > this->parent_->effects_.size()) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "'%s': invalid effect index %" PRIu32, name, this->effect_);
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT);
   }
 
   if (this->has_effect_() && (this->has_transition_() || this->has_flash_())) {
     log_invalid_parameter(name, LOG_STR("effect cannot be used with transition/flash"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, false);
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_FLASH, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_FLASH);
   }
 
   if (this->has_flash_() && this->has_transition_()) {
     log_invalid_parameter(name, LOG_STR("flash cannot be used with transition"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION);
   }
 
   if (!this->has_transition_() && !this->has_flash_() && (!this->has_effect_() || this->effect_ == 0) &&
       supports_transition) {
     // nothing specified and light supports transitions, set default transition length
     this->transition_length_ = this->parent_->default_transition_length_;
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, true);
+    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION);
   }
 
   if (this->has_transition_() && this->transition_length_ == 0) {
     // 0 transition is interpreted as no transition (instant change)
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION);
   }
 
-  if (this->has_transition_() && !supports_transition) {
-    log_feature_not_supported(name, LOG_STR("transitions"));
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, false);
-  }
+  if (this->has_transition_() && !supports_transition)
+    this->log_and_clear_unsupported_(FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION, LOG_STR("transitions"), false);
 
   // If not a flash and turning the light off, then disable the light
   // Do not use light color values directly, so that effects can set 0% brightness
@@ -374,17 +352,17 @@ LightColorValues LightCall::validate_() {
   if (!this->has_flash_() && !target_state) {
     if (this->has_effect_()) {
       log_invalid_parameter(name, LOG_STR("cannot start effect when turning off"));
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT, false);
+      this->clear_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT);
     } else if (this->parent_->active_effect_index_ != 0 && explicit_turn_off_request) {
       // Auto turn off effect
       this->effect_ = 0;
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT, true);
+      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT);
     }
   }
 
   // Disable saving for flashes
   if (this->has_flash_())
-    this->set_flag_(FLAG_SAVE, false);
+    this->clear_flag_(FLAG_SAVE);
 
   return v;
 }
@@ -418,12 +396,12 @@ void LightCall::transform_parameters_() {
       const float gamma = this->parent_->get_gamma_correct();
       this->cold_white_ = gamma_uncorrect(cw_fraction / max_cw_ww, gamma);
       this->warm_white_ = gamma_uncorrect(ww_fraction / max_cw_ww, gamma);
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLD_WHITE, true);
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_WARM_WHITE, true);
+      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_COLD_WHITE);
+      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_WARM_WHITE);
     }
     if (this->has_white()) {
       this->brightness_ = this->white_;
-      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_BRIGHTNESS, true);
+      this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_BRIGHTNESS);
     }
   }
 }
@@ -630,7 +608,7 @@ LightCall &LightCall::set_effect(optional<std::string> effect) {
 }
 LightCall &LightCall::set_effect(uint32_t effect_number) {
   this->effect_ = effect_number;
-  this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT, true);
+  this->set_flag_(FLAG_HAS_EFFECT);
   return *this;
 }
 LightCall &LightCall::set_effect(optional<uint32_t> effect_number) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/light_call.h b/esphome/components/light/light_call.h
index 7e04e1a767..d3a526b136 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/light_call.h
+++ b/esphome/components/light/light_call.h
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 #include <set>
 
 namespace esphome {
+
+// Forward declaration
+struct LogString;
+
 namespace light {
 
 class LightState;
@@ -207,14 +211,14 @@ class LightCall {
     FLAG_SAVE = 1 << 15,
   };
 
-  bool has_transition_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION) != 0; }
-  bool has_flash_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_FLASH) != 0; }
-  bool has_effect_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_EFFECT) != 0; }
-  bool get_publish_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_PUBLISH) != 0; }
-  bool get_save_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_SAVE) != 0; }
+  inline bool has_transition_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_TRANSITION) != 0; }
+  inline bool has_flash_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_FLASH) != 0; }
+  inline bool has_effect_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_HAS_EFFECT) != 0; }
+  inline bool get_publish_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_PUBLISH) != 0; }
+  inline bool get_save_() { return (this->flags_ & FLAG_SAVE) != 0; }
 
-  // Helper to set flag
-  void set_flag_(FieldFlags flag, bool value) {
+  // Helper to set flag - defaults to true for common case
+  void set_flag_(FieldFlags flag, bool value = true) {
     if (value) {
       this->flags_ |= flag;
     } else {
@@ -222,6 +226,12 @@ class LightCall {
     }
   }
 
+  // Helper to clear flag - reduces code size for common case
+  void clear_flag_(FieldFlags flag) { this->flags_ &= ~flag; }
+
+  // Helper to log unsupported feature and clear flag - reduces code duplication
+  void log_and_clear_unsupported_(FieldFlags flag, const LogString *feature, bool use_color_mode_log);
+
   LightState *parent_;
 
   // Light state values - use flags_ to check if a value has been set.
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
index e22bba16f6..eed2516c6a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_() {
 
 #ifdef USE_API
   if (api::global_api_server != nullptr) {
-    auto &service = this->services_[this->services_.count()++];
+    auto &service = this->services_.emplace_next();
     service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_ESPHOMELIB);
     service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
     service.port = api::global_api_server->get_port();
@@ -158,14 +158,14 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_() {
 #endif  // USE_API
 
 #ifdef USE_PROMETHEUS
-  auto &prom_service = this->services_[this->services_.count()++];
+  auto &prom_service = this->services_.emplace_next();
   prom_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_PROMETHEUS);
   prom_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
   prom_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef USE_WEBSERVER
-  auto &web_service = this->services_[this->services_.count()++];
+  auto &web_service = this->services_.emplace_next();
   web_service.service_type = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_HTTP);
   web_service.proto = MDNS_STR(SERVICE_TCP);
   web_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ void MDNSComponent::compile_records_() {
 #if !defined(USE_API) && !defined(USE_PROMETHEUS) && !defined(USE_WEBSERVER) && !defined(USE_MDNS_EXTRA_SERVICES)
   // Publish "http" service if not using native API or any other services
   // This is just to have *some* mDNS service so that .local resolution works
-  auto &fallback_service = this->services_[this->services_.count()++];
+  auto &fallback_service = this->services_.emplace_next();
   fallback_service.service_type = "_http";
   fallback_service.proto = "_tcp";
   fallback_service.port = USE_WEBSERVER_PORT;
diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
index fdbe5b11e7..e0e268c914 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/mdns_component.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class MDNSComponent : public Component {
   float get_setup_priority() const override { return setup_priority::AFTER_CONNECTION; }
 
 #ifdef USE_MDNS_EXTRA_SERVICES
-  void add_extra_service(MDNSService service) { this->services_[this->services_.count()++] = std::move(service); }
+  void add_extra_service(MDNSService service) { this->services_.emplace_next() = std::move(service); }
 #endif
 
   const StaticVector<MDNSService, MDNS_SERVICE_COUNT> &get_services() const { return this->services_; }
diff --git a/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.cpp b/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.cpp
index 063d6f204c..b38c5fb92a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.cpp
@@ -52,6 +52,20 @@ DefaultHeaders &DefaultHeaders::Instance() { return default_headers_instance; }
 
 namespace {
 // Non-blocking send function to prevent watchdog timeouts when TCP buffers are full
+/**
+ * Sends data on a socket in non-blocking mode.
+ *
+ * @param hd      HTTP server handle (unused).
+ * @param sockfd  Socket file descriptor.
+ * @param buf     Buffer to send.
+ * @param buf_len Length of buffer.
+ * @param flags   Flags for send().
+ * @return
+ *   - Number of bytes sent on success.
+ *   - HTTPD_SOCK_ERR_INVALID if buf is nullptr.
+ *   - HTTPD_SOCK_ERR_TIMEOUT if the send buffer is full (EAGAIN/EWOULDBLOCK).
+ *   - HTTPD_SOCK_ERR_FAIL for other errors.
+ */
 int nonblocking_send(httpd_handle_t hd, int sockfd, const char *buf, size_t buf_len, int flags) {
   if (buf == nullptr) {
     return HTTPD_SOCK_ERR_INVALID;
@@ -319,8 +333,8 @@ AsyncWebParameter *AsyncWebServerRequest::getParam(const std::string &name) {
     }
   }
 
-  // Don't cache misses to prevent memory exhaustion from malicious requests
-  // with thousands of non-existent parameter lookups
+  // Don't cache misses to avoid wasting memory when handlers check for
+  // optional parameters that don't exist in the request
   if (!val.has_value()) {
     return nullptr;
   }
diff --git a/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.h b/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.h
index 0b376b6ec2..bf93dcbd34 100644
--- a/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.h
+++ b/esphome/components/web_server_idf/web_server_idf.h
@@ -172,7 +172,8 @@ class AsyncWebServerRequest {
   AsyncWebServerResponse *rsp_{};
   // Use vector instead of map/unordered_map: most requests have 0-3 params, so linear search
   // is faster than tree/hash overhead. AsyncWebParameter stores both name and value to avoid
-  // duplicate storage. Only successful lookups are cached to prevent memory exhaustion attacks.
+  // duplicate storage. Only successful lookups are cached to prevent cache pollution when
+  // handlers check for optional parameters that don't exist.
   std::vector<AsyncWebParameter *> params_;
   std::string post_query_;
   AsyncWebServerRequest(httpd_req_t *req) : req_(req) {}
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
index f50d6da809..621f626569 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.cpp
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ void WiFiComponent::start_connecting(const WiFiAP &ap, bool two) {
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "    Identity: " LOG_SECRET("'%s'"), eap_config.identity.c_str());
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "    Username: " LOG_SECRET("'%s'"), eap_config.username.c_str());
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "    Password: " LOG_SECRET("'%s'"), eap_config.password.c_str());
-#if defined(USE_ESP32) && ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL >= ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL_VERBOSE
+#if defined(USE_ESP32) && defined(USE_WIFI_WPA2_EAP) && ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL >= ESPHOME_LOG_LEVEL_VERBOSE
     ESP_LOGV(TAG, "    TTLS Phase 2: " LOG_SECRET("'%s'"), eap_phase2_to_str(eap_config.ttls_phase_2));
 #endif
     bool ca_cert_present = eap_config.ca_cert != nullptr && strlen(eap_config.ca_cert);
diff --git a/esphome/core/helpers.h b/esphome/core/helpers.h
index 3b38af0dd8..b3e2ab79cf 100644
--- a/esphome/core/helpers.h
+++ b/esphome/core/helpers.h
@@ -130,6 +130,16 @@ template<typename T, size_t N> class StaticVector {
     }
   }
 
+  // Return reference to next element and increment count (with bounds checking)
+  T &emplace_next() {
+    if (count_ >= N) {
+      // Should never happen with proper size calculation
+      // Return reference to last element to avoid crash
+      return data_[N - 1];
+    }
+    return data_[count_++];
+  }
+
   size_t size() const { return count_; }
   bool empty() const { return count_ == 0; }