diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
index f2fabb9080..8c7f219e0b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
@@ -664,11 +664,22 @@ bool WiFiComponent::wifi_scan_start_(bool passive) {
   config.show_hidden = 1;
 #if USE_ARDUINO_VERSION_CODE >= VERSION_CODE(2, 4, 0)
   config.scan_type = passive ? WIFI_SCAN_TYPE_PASSIVE : WIFI_SCAN_TYPE_ACTIVE;
+  // Use shorter dwell times for roaming scans - we only need to detect strong
+  // nearby APs, not do a thorough survey. This also reduces off-channel time
+  // which can cause Beacon Timeout disconnects on some APs.
+  // Roaming times match the ESP32 IDF scan defaults.
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_PASSIVE_DEFAULT = 500;
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_PASSIVE_ROAMING = 300;
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_ACTIVE_MIN_DEFAULT = 400;
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_ACTIVE_MAX_DEFAULT = 500;
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_ACTIVE_MIN_ROAMING = 100;
+  static constexpr uint32_t SCAN_ACTIVE_MAX_ROAMING = 300;
+  bool roaming = this->roaming_state_ == RoamingState::SCANNING;
   if (passive) {
-    config.scan_time.passive = 500;
+    config.scan_time.passive = roaming ? SCAN_PASSIVE_ROAMING : SCAN_PASSIVE_DEFAULT;
   } else {
-    config.scan_time.active.min = 400;
-    config.scan_time.active.max = 500;
+    config.scan_time.active.min = roaming ? SCAN_ACTIVE_MIN_ROAMING : SCAN_ACTIVE_MIN_DEFAULT;
+    config.scan_time.active.max = roaming ? SCAN_ACTIVE_MAX_ROAMING : SCAN_ACTIVE_MAX_DEFAULT;
   }
 #endif
   bool ret = wifi_station_scan(&config, &WiFiComponent::s_wifi_scan_done_callback);