diff --git a/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp b/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
index ca560e8250a..63e1006b03c 100644
--- a/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
+++ b/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
@@ -30,11 +30,6 @@ static constexpr uint32_t MAX_LOGICALLY_DELETED_ITEMS = 5;
 // max delay to start an interval sequence
 static constexpr uint32_t MAX_INTERVAL_DELAY = 5000;
 
-// Prevent inlining of SchedulerItem deletion. On BK7231N (Thumb-1), GCC inlines
-// ~unique_ptr<SchedulerItem> (~30 bytes each) at every destruction site. Defining
-// the deleter in the .cpp file ensures a single copy of the destructor + operator delete.
-void Scheduler::SchedulerItemDeleter::operator()(SchedulerItem *ptr) const noexcept { delete ptr; }
-
 #if defined(ESPHOME_LOG_HAS_VERBOSE) || defined(ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER)
 // Helper struct for formatting scheduler item names consistently in logs
 // Uses a stack buffer to avoid heap allocation
@@ -122,8 +117,8 @@ uint32_t Scheduler::calculate_interval_offset_(uint32_t delay) {
 bool Scheduler::is_retry_cancelled_locked_(Component *component, NameType name_type, const char *static_name,
                                            uint32_t hash_or_id) {
   for (auto *container : {&this->items_, &this->to_add_}) {
-    for (auto &item : *container) {
-      if (item && this->is_item_removed_locked_(item.get()) &&
+    for (auto *item : *container) {
+      if (item != nullptr && this->is_item_removed_locked_(item) &&
           this->matches_item_locked_(item, component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, SchedulerItem::TIMEOUT,
                                      /* match_retry= */ true, /* skip_removed= */ false)) {
         return true;
@@ -147,17 +142,31 @@ void HOT Scheduler::set_timer_common_(Component *component, SchedulerItem::Type
     return;
   }
 
-  // Take lock early to protect scheduler_item_pool_ access
+  // Take lock early to protect scheduler_item_pool_ access and retry-cancelled check
   LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
 
+  // For retries, check if there's a cancelled timeout first - before allocating an item.
+  // Skip check for anonymous retries (STATIC_STRING with nullptr) - they can't be cancelled by name
+  // Skip check for defer (delay=0) - deferred retries bypass the cancellation check
+  if (is_retry && delay != 0 && (name_type != NameType::STATIC_STRING || static_name != nullptr) &&
+      type == SchedulerItem::TIMEOUT &&
+      this->is_retry_cancelled_locked_(component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id)) {
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+    SchedulerNameLog skip_name_log;
+    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Skipping retry '%s' - found cancelled item",
+             skip_name_log.format(name_type, static_name, hash_or_id));
+#endif
+    return;
+  }
+
   // Create and populate the scheduler item
-  auto item = this->get_item_from_pool_locked_();
+  SchedulerItem *item = this->get_item_from_pool_locked_();
   item->component = component;
   item->set_name(name_type, static_name, hash_or_id);
   item->type = type;
   item->callback = std::move(func);
   // Reset remove flag - recycled items may have been cancelled (remove=true) in previous use
-  this->set_item_removed_(item.get(), false);
+  this->set_item_removed_(item, false);
   item->is_retry = is_retry;
 
   // Determine target container: defer_queue_ for deferred items, to_add_ for everything else.
@@ -193,29 +202,15 @@ void HOT Scheduler::set_timer_common_(Component *component, SchedulerItem::Type
     }
 
 #ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
-    this->debug_log_timer_(item.get(), name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, type, delay, now_64);
+    this->debug_log_timer_(item, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, type, delay, now_64);
 #endif /* ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER */
-
-    // For retries, check if there's a cancelled timeout first
-    // Skip check for anonymous retries (STATIC_STRING with nullptr) - they can't be cancelled by name
-    if (is_retry && (name_type != NameType::STATIC_STRING || static_name != nullptr) &&
-        type == SchedulerItem::TIMEOUT &&
-        this->is_retry_cancelled_locked_(component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id)) {
-      // Skip scheduling - the retry was cancelled
-#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
-      SchedulerNameLog skip_name_log;
-      ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Skipping retry '%s' - found cancelled item",
-               skip_name_log.format(name_type, static_name, hash_or_id));
-#endif
-      return;
-    }
   }
 
   // Common epilogue: atomic cancel-and-add (unless skip_cancel is true)
   if (!skip_cancel) {
     this->cancel_item_locked_(component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, type);
   }
-  target->push_back(std::move(item));
+  target->push_back(item);
 }
 
 void HOT Scheduler::set_timeout(Component *component, const char *name, uint32_t timeout,
@@ -395,7 +390,7 @@ optional<uint32_t> HOT Scheduler::next_schedule_in(uint32_t now) {
   if (this->cleanup_() == 0)
     return {};
 
-  auto &item = this->items_[0];
+  SchedulerItem *item = this->items_[0];
   const auto now_64 = this->millis_64_from_(now);
   const uint64_t next_exec = item->get_next_execution();
   if (next_exec < now_64)
@@ -414,13 +409,13 @@ void Scheduler::full_cleanup_removed_items_() {
   // Compact in-place: move valid items forward, recycle removed ones
   size_t write = 0;
   for (size_t read = 0; read < this->items_.size(); ++read) {
-    if (!is_item_removed_locked_(this->items_[read].get())) {
+    if (!is_item_removed_locked_(this->items_[read])) {
       if (write != read) {
-        this->items_[write] = std::move(this->items_[read]);
+        this->items_[write] = this->items_[read];
       }
       ++write;
     } else {
-      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(std::move(this->items_[read]));
+      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(this->items_[read]);
     }
   }
   this->items_.erase(this->items_.begin() + write, this->items_.end());
@@ -444,7 +439,7 @@ void Scheduler::compact_defer_queue_locked_() {
   // and recycled on the next loop iteration.
   size_t remaining = this->defer_queue_.size() - this->defer_queue_front_;
   for (size_t i = 0; i < remaining; i++) {
-    this->defer_queue_[i] = std::move(this->defer_queue_[this->defer_queue_front_ + i]);
+    this->defer_queue_[i] = this->defer_queue_[this->defer_queue_front_ + i];
   }
   // Use erase() instead of resize() to avoid instantiating _M_default_append
   // (saves ~156 bytes flash). Erasing from the end is O(1) - no shifting needed.
@@ -469,26 +464,26 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
 
   if (now_64 - last_print > 2000) {
     last_print = now_64;
-    std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> old_items;
+    std::vector<SchedulerItem *> old_items;
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Items: count=%zu, pool=%zu, now=%" PRIu64, this->items_.size(), this->scheduler_item_pool_.size(),
              now_64);
     // Cleanup before debug output
     this->cleanup_();
     while (!this->items_.empty()) {
-      SchedulerItemPtr item;
+      SchedulerItem *item;
       {
         LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
         item = this->pop_raw_locked_();
       }
 
       SchedulerNameLog name_log;
-      bool is_cancelled = is_item_removed_(item.get());
+      bool is_cancelled = is_item_removed_(item);
       ESP_LOGD(TAG, "  %s '%s/%s' interval=%" PRIu32 " next_execution in %" PRIu64 "ms at %" PRIu64 "%s",
                item->get_type_str(), LOG_STR_ARG(item->get_source()),
                name_log.format(item->get_name_type(), item->get_name(), item->get_name_hash_or_id()), item->interval,
                item->get_next_execution() - now_64, item->get_next_execution(), is_cancelled ? " [CANCELLED]" : "");
 
-      old_items.push_back(std::move(item));
+      old_items.push_back(item);
     }
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "\n");
 
@@ -512,7 +507,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
   }
   while (!this->items_.empty()) {
     // Don't copy-by value yet
-    auto &item = this->items_[0];
+    SchedulerItem *item = this->items_[0];
     if (item->get_next_execution() > now_64) {
       // Not reached timeout yet, done for this call
       break;
@@ -532,7 +527,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     // Multi-threaded platforms without atomics: must take lock to safely read remove flag
     {
       LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
-      if (is_item_removed_locked_(item.get())) {
+      if (is_item_removed_locked_(item)) {
         this->recycle_item_main_loop_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
         this->to_remove_--;
         continue;
@@ -540,7 +535,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     }
 #else
     // Single-threaded or multi-threaded with atomics: can check without lock
-    if (is_item_removed_(item.get())) {
+    if (is_item_removed_(item)) {
       LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
       this->recycle_item_main_loop_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
       this->to_remove_--;
@@ -561,18 +556,18 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     // Warning: During callback(), a lot of stuff can happen, including:
     //  - timeouts/intervals get added, potentially invalidating vector pointers
     //  - timeouts/intervals get cancelled
-    now = this->execute_item_(item.get(), now);
+    now = this->execute_item_(item, now);
 
     LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
 
     // Only pop after function call, this ensures we were reachable
     // during the function call and know if we were cancelled.
-    auto executed_item = this->pop_raw_locked_();
+    SchedulerItem *executed_item = this->pop_raw_locked_();
 
-    if (this->is_item_removed_locked_(executed_item.get())) {
+    if (this->is_item_removed_locked_(executed_item)) {
       // We were removed/cancelled in the function call, recycle and continue
       this->to_remove_--;
-      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(std::move(executed_item));
+      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(executed_item);
       continue;
     }
 
@@ -580,10 +575,10 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
       executed_item->set_next_execution(now_64 + executed_item->interval);
       // Add new item directly to to_add_
       // since we have the lock held
-      this->to_add_.push_back(std::move(executed_item));
+      this->to_add_.push_back(executed_item);
     } else {
       // Timeout completed - recycle it
-      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(std::move(executed_item));
+      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(executed_item);
     }
 
     has_added_items |= !this->to_add_.empty();
@@ -592,17 +587,33 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
   if (has_added_items) {
     this->process_to_add();
   }
+
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+  // Verify no items were leaked during this call() cycle.
+  // All items must be in items_, to_add_, defer_queue_, or the pool.
+  // Safe to check here because:
+  // - process_defer_queue_ has already run its cleanup_defer_queue_locked_(),
+  //   so defer_queue_ contains no nullptr slots inflating the count.
+  // - The while loop above has finished, so no items are held in local variables;
+  //   every item has been returned to a container (items_, to_add_, or pool).
+  // Lock needed to get a consistent snapshot of all containers.
+  {
+    LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
+    this->debug_verify_no_leak_();
+  }
+#endif
 }
 void HOT Scheduler::process_to_add() {
   LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
-  for (auto &it : this->to_add_) {
-    if (is_item_removed_locked_(it.get())) {
+  for (auto *&it : this->to_add_) {
+    if (is_item_removed_locked_(it)) {
       // Recycle cancelled items
-      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(std::move(it));
+      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(it);
+      it = nullptr;
       continue;
     }
 
-    this->items_.push_back(std::move(it));
+    this->items_.push_back(it);
     std::push_heap(this->items_.begin(), this->items_.end(), SchedulerItem::cmp);
   }
   this->to_add_.clear();
@@ -628,20 +639,18 @@ size_t HOT Scheduler::cleanup_() {
   // leading to race conditions
   LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
   while (!this->items_.empty()) {
-    auto &item = this->items_[0];
-    if (!this->is_item_removed_locked_(item.get()))
+    SchedulerItem *item = this->items_[0];
+    if (!this->is_item_removed_locked_(item))
       break;
     this->to_remove_--;
     this->recycle_item_main_loop_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
   }
   return this->items_.size();
 }
-Scheduler::SchedulerItemPtr HOT Scheduler::pop_raw_locked_() {
+Scheduler::SchedulerItem *HOT Scheduler::pop_raw_locked_() {
   std::pop_heap(this->items_.begin(), this->items_.end(), SchedulerItem::cmp);
 
-  // Move the item out before popping - this is the item that was at the front of the heap
-  auto item = std::move(this->items_.back());
-
+  SchedulerItem *item = this->items_.back();
   this->items_.pop_back();
   return item;
 }
@@ -699,7 +708,7 @@ bool HOT Scheduler::cancel_item_locked_(Component *component, NameType name_type
   return total_cancelled > 0;
 }
 
-bool HOT Scheduler::SchedulerItem::cmp(const SchedulerItemPtr &a, const SchedulerItemPtr &b) {
+bool HOT Scheduler::SchedulerItem::cmp(SchedulerItem *a, SchedulerItem *b) {
   // High bits are almost always equal (change only on 32-bit rollover ~49 days)
   // Optimize for common case: check low bits first when high bits are equal
   return (a->next_execution_high_ == b->next_execution_high_) ? (a->next_execution_low_ > b->next_execution_low_)
@@ -710,23 +719,26 @@ bool HOT Scheduler::SchedulerItem::cmp(const SchedulerItemPtr &a, const Schedule
 // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
 // This protects scheduler_item_pool_ from concurrent access by other threads
 // that may be acquiring items from the pool in set_timer_common_().
-void Scheduler::recycle_item_main_loop_(SchedulerItemPtr item) {
-  if (!item)
+void Scheduler::recycle_item_main_loop_(SchedulerItem *item) {
+  if (item == nullptr)
     return;
 
   if (this->scheduler_item_pool_.size() < MAX_POOL_SIZE) {
     // Clear callback to release captured resources
     item->callback = nullptr;
-    this->scheduler_item_pool_.push_back(std::move(item));
+    this->scheduler_item_pool_.push_back(item);
 #ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Recycled item to pool (pool size now: %zu)", this->scheduler_item_pool_.size());
 #endif
   } else {
 #ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Pool full (size: %zu), deleting item", this->scheduler_item_pool_.size());
+#endif
+    delete item;
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+    this->debug_live_items_--;
 #endif
   }
-  // else: unique_ptr will delete the item when it goes out of scope
 }
 
 #ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
@@ -753,21 +765,54 @@ void Scheduler::debug_log_timer_(const SchedulerItem *item, NameType name_type,
 
 // Helper to get or create a scheduler item from the pool
 // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
-Scheduler::SchedulerItemPtr Scheduler::get_item_from_pool_locked_() {
-  SchedulerItemPtr item;
+Scheduler::SchedulerItem *Scheduler::get_item_from_pool_locked_() {
   if (!this->scheduler_item_pool_.empty()) {
-    item = std::move(this->scheduler_item_pool_.back());
+    SchedulerItem *item = this->scheduler_item_pool_.back();
     this->scheduler_item_pool_.pop_back();
 #ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
     ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Reused item from pool (pool size now: %zu)", this->scheduler_item_pool_.size());
 #endif
-  } else {
-    item = SchedulerItemPtr(new SchedulerItem());
-#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
-    ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Allocated new item (pool empty)");
-#endif
+    return item;
   }
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+  ESP_LOGD(TAG, "Allocated new item (pool empty)");
+#endif
+  auto *item = new SchedulerItem();
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+  this->debug_live_items_++;
+#endif
   return item;
 }
 
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+bool Scheduler::debug_verify_no_leak_() const {
+  // Invariant: every live SchedulerItem must be in exactly one container.
+  // debug_live_items_ tracks allocations minus deletions.
+  size_t accounted = this->items_.size() + this->to_add_.size() + this->scheduler_item_pool_.size();
+#ifndef ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE
+  accounted += this->defer_queue_.size();
+#endif
+  if (accounted != this->debug_live_items_) {
+    ESP_LOGE(TAG,
+             "SCHEDULER LEAK DETECTED: live=%" PRIu32 " but accounted=%" PRIu32 " (items=%" PRIu32 " to_add=%" PRIu32
+             " pool=%" PRIu32
+#ifndef ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE
+             " defer=%" PRIu32
+#endif
+             ")",
+             static_cast<uint32_t>(this->debug_live_items_), static_cast<uint32_t>(accounted),
+             static_cast<uint32_t>(this->items_.size()), static_cast<uint32_t>(this->to_add_.size()),
+             static_cast<uint32_t>(this->scheduler_item_pool_.size())
+#ifndef ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE
+                 ,
+             static_cast<uint32_t>(this->defer_queue_.size())
+#endif
+    );
+    assert(false);
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+#endif
+
 }  // namespace esphome
diff --git a/esphome/core/scheduler.h b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
index eb6cea4f37d..0476513bb99 100644
--- a/esphome/core/scheduler.h
+++ b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 #include "esphome/core/defines.h"
 #include <cstring>
-#include <memory>
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 #ifdef ESPHOME_THREAD_MULTI_ATOMICS
@@ -144,19 +143,6 @@ class Scheduler {
   };
 
  protected:
-  struct SchedulerItem;
-
-  // Custom deleter for SchedulerItem unique_ptr that prevents the compiler from
-  // inlining the destructor at every destruction site. On BK7231N (Thumb-1), GCC
-  // inlines ~unique_ptr<SchedulerItem> (~30 bytes: null check + ~std::function +
-  // operator delete) at every destruction site, while ESP32/ESP8266/RTL8720CF outline
-  // it into a single helper. This noinline deleter ensures only one copy exists.
-  // operator() is defined in scheduler.cpp to prevent inlining.
-  struct SchedulerItemDeleter {
-    void operator()(SchedulerItem *ptr) const noexcept;
-  };
-  using SchedulerItemPtr = std::unique_ptr<SchedulerItem, SchedulerItemDeleter>;
-
   struct SchedulerItem {
     // Ordered by size to minimize padding
     Component *component;
@@ -219,14 +205,14 @@ class Scheduler {
       name_.static_name = nullptr;
     }
 
-    // Destructor - no dynamic memory to clean up
+    // Destructor - no dynamic memory to clean up (callback's std::function handles its own)
     ~SchedulerItem() = default;
 
     // Delete copy operations to prevent accidental copies
     SchedulerItem(const SchedulerItem &) = delete;
     SchedulerItem &operator=(const SchedulerItem &) = delete;
 
-    // Delete move operations: SchedulerItem objects are only managed via unique_ptr, never moved directly
+    // Delete move operations: SchedulerItem objects are managed via raw pointers, never moved directly
     SchedulerItem(SchedulerItem &&) = delete;
     SchedulerItem &operator=(SchedulerItem &&) = delete;
 
@@ -250,7 +236,7 @@ class Scheduler {
       name_type_ = type;
     }
 
-    static bool cmp(const SchedulerItemPtr &a, const SchedulerItemPtr &b);
+    static bool cmp(SchedulerItem *a, SchedulerItem *b);
 
     // Note: We use 48 bits total (32 + 16), stored in a 64-bit value for API compatibility.
     // The upper 16 bits of the 64-bit value are always zero, which is fine since
@@ -301,12 +287,13 @@ class Scheduler {
   // Returns the number of items remaining after cleanup
   // IMPORTANT: This method should only be called from the main thread (loop task).
   size_t cleanup_();
-  // Remove and return the front item from the heap
+  // Remove and return the front item from the heap as a raw pointer.
+  // Caller takes ownership and must either recycle or delete the item.
   // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
-  SchedulerItemPtr pop_raw_locked_();
+  SchedulerItem *pop_raw_locked_();
   // Get or create a scheduler item from the pool
   // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
-  SchedulerItemPtr get_item_from_pool_locked_();
+  SchedulerItem *get_item_from_pool_locked_();
 
  private:
   // Helper to cancel items - must be called with lock held
@@ -330,19 +317,16 @@ class Scheduler {
   // Helper function to check if item matches criteria for cancellation
   // name_type determines matching: STATIC_STRING uses static_name, others use hash_or_id
   // IMPORTANT: Must be called with scheduler lock held
-  inline bool HOT matches_item_locked_(const SchedulerItemPtr &item, Component *component, NameType name_type,
+  inline bool HOT matches_item_locked_(SchedulerItem *item, Component *component, NameType name_type,
                                        const char *static_name, uint32_t hash_or_id, SchedulerItem::Type type,
                                        bool match_retry, bool skip_removed = true) const {
     // THREAD SAFETY: Check for nullptr first to prevent LoadProhibited crashes. On multi-threaded
-    // platforms, items can be moved out of defer_queue_ during processing, leaving nullptr entries.
-    // PR #11305 added nullptr checks in callers (mark_matching_items_removed_locked_()), but this check
-    // provides defense-in-depth: helper
-    // functions should be safe regardless of caller behavior.
+    // platforms, items can be nulled in defer_queue_ during processing.
     // Fixes: https://github.com/esphome/esphome/issues/11940
-    if (!item)
+    if (item == nullptr)
       return false;
-    if (item->component != component || item->type != type ||
-        (skip_removed && this->is_item_removed_locked_(item.get())) || (match_retry && !item->is_retry)) {
+    if (item->component != component || item->type != type || (skip_removed && this->is_item_removed_locked_(item)) ||
+        (match_retry && !item->is_retry)) {
       return false;
     }
     // Name type must match
@@ -364,10 +348,12 @@ class Scheduler {
   }
 
   // Helper to recycle a SchedulerItem back to the pool.
+  // Takes a raw pointer — caller transfers ownership. The item is either added to the
+  // pool or deleted if the pool is full.
   // IMPORTANT: Only call from main loop context! Recycling clears the callback,
   // so calling from another thread while the callback is executing causes use-after-free.
   // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
-  void recycle_item_main_loop_(SchedulerItemPtr item);
+  void recycle_item_main_loop_(SchedulerItem *item);
 
   // Helper to perform full cleanup when too many items are cancelled
   void full_cleanup_removed_items_();
@@ -423,27 +409,28 @@ class Scheduler {
     // Merge lock acquisitions: instead of separate locks for move-out and recycle (2N+1 total),
     // recycle each item after re-acquiring the lock for the next iteration (N+1 total).
     // The lock is held across: recycle → loop condition → move-out, then released for execution.
-    SchedulerItemPtr item;
+    SchedulerItem *item;
 
     this->lock_.lock();
     while (this->defer_queue_front_ < defer_queue_end) {
-      // SAFETY: Moving out the unique_ptr leaves a nullptr in the vector at defer_queue_front_.
-      // This is intentional and safe because:
+      // Take ownership of the item, leaving nullptr in the vector slot.
+      // This is safe because:
       // 1. The vector is only cleaned up by cleanup_defer_queue_locked_() at the end of this function
       // 2. Any code iterating defer_queue_ MUST check for nullptr items (see mark_matching_items_removed_locked_)
       // 3. The lock protects concurrent access, but the nullptr remains until cleanup
-      item = std::move(this->defer_queue_[this->defer_queue_front_]);
+      item = this->defer_queue_[this->defer_queue_front_];
+      this->defer_queue_[this->defer_queue_front_] = nullptr;
       this->defer_queue_front_++;
       this->lock_.unlock();
 
       // Execute callback without holding lock to prevent deadlocks
       // if the callback tries to call defer() again
-      if (!this->should_skip_item_(item.get())) {
-        now = this->execute_item_(item.get(), now);
+      if (!this->should_skip_item_(item)) {
+        now = this->execute_item_(item, now);
       }
 
       this->lock_.lock();
-      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(std::move(item));
+      this->recycle_item_main_loop_(item);
     }
     // Clean up the queue (lock already held from last recycle or initial acquisition)
     this->cleanup_defer_queue_locked_();
@@ -523,18 +510,14 @@ class Scheduler {
   // name_type determines matching: STATIC_STRING uses static_name, others use hash_or_id
   // Returns the number of items marked for removal
   // IMPORTANT: Must be called with scheduler lock held
-  __attribute__((noinline)) size_t mark_matching_items_removed_locked_(std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> &container,
+  __attribute__((noinline)) size_t mark_matching_items_removed_locked_(std::vector<SchedulerItem *> &container,
                                                                        Component *component, NameType name_type,
                                                                        const char *static_name, uint32_t hash_or_id,
                                                                        SchedulerItem::Type type, bool match_retry) {
     size_t count = 0;
-    for (auto &item : container) {
-      // Skip nullptr items (can happen in defer_queue_ when items are being processed)
-      // The defer_queue_ uses index-based processing: items are std::moved out but left in the
-      // vector as nullptr until cleanup. Even though this function is called with lock held,
-      // the vector can still contain nullptr items from the processing loop. This check prevents crashes.
-      if (item && this->matches_item_locked_(item, component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, type, match_retry)) {
-        this->set_item_removed_(item.get(), true);
+    for (auto *item : container) {
+      if (this->matches_item_locked_(item, component, name_type, static_name, hash_or_id, type, match_retry)) {
+        this->set_item_removed_(item, true);
         count++;
       }
     }
@@ -542,15 +525,15 @@ class Scheduler {
   }
 
   Mutex lock_;
-  std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> items_;
-  std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> to_add_;
+  std::vector<SchedulerItem *> items_;
+  std::vector<SchedulerItem *> to_add_;
 #ifndef ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE
   // Single-core platforms don't need the defer queue and save ~32 bytes of RAM
   // Using std::vector instead of std::deque avoids 512-byte chunked allocations
   // Index tracking avoids O(n) erase() calls when draining the queue each loop
-  std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> defer_queue_;  // FIFO queue for defer() calls
-  size_t defer_queue_front_{0};                // Index of first valid item in defer_queue_ (tracks consumed items)
-#endif                                         /* ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE */
+  std::vector<SchedulerItem *> defer_queue_;  // FIFO queue for defer() calls
+  size_t defer_queue_front_{0};               // Index of first valid item in defer_queue_ (tracks consumed items)
+#endif                                        /* ESPHOME_THREAD_SINGLE */
   uint32_t to_remove_{0};
 
   // Memory pool for recycling SchedulerItem objects to reduce heap churn.
@@ -561,7 +544,18 @@ class Scheduler {
   // - The pool significantly reduces heap fragmentation which is critical because heap allocation/deallocation
   //   can stall the entire system, causing timing issues and dropped events for any components that need
   //   to synchronize between tasks (see https://github.com/esphome/backlog/issues/52)
-  std::vector<SchedulerItemPtr> scheduler_item_pool_;
+  std::vector<SchedulerItem *> scheduler_item_pool_;
+
+#ifdef ESPHOME_DEBUG_SCHEDULER
+  // Leak detection: tracks total live SchedulerItem allocations.
+  // Invariant: debug_live_items_ == items_.size() + to_add_.size() + defer_queue_.size() + scheduler_item_pool_.size()
+  // Verified periodically in call() to catch leaks early.
+  size_t debug_live_items_{0};
+
+  // Verify the scheduler memory invariant: all allocated items are accounted for.
+  // Returns true if no leak detected. Logs an error and asserts on failure.
+  bool debug_verify_no_leak_() const;
+#endif
 };
 
 }  // namespace esphome
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_bulk_cleanup.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_bulk_cleanup.yaml
index de876da8c47..3d2c47a0de5 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_bulk_cleanup.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_bulk_cleanup.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-bulk-cleanup
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancel.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancel.yaml
index 9e3f927c33c..92ae0062aca 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancel.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancel.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-defer-cancel
 
 host:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancels_regular.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancels_regular.yaml
index fb6b1791dc4..cf7f6ec7338 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancels_regular.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_cancels_regular.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-defer-cancel-regular
 
 host:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_fifo_simple.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_fifo_simple.yaml
index 7384082ac2d..f69e5c6c67b 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_fifo_simple.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_fifo_simple.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-defer-fifo-simple
 
 host:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_stress.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_stress.yaml
index 0d9c1d14051..70eac01daf6 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_stress.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_defer_stress.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-defer-stress-test
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_heap_stress.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_heap_stress.yaml
index d4d340b68ba..486a5d12764 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_heap_stress.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_heap_stress.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-heap-stress-test
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_internal_id_no_collision.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_internal_id_no_collision.yaml
index 46dbb8e728d..e696e99efa6 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_internal_id_no_collision.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_internal_id_no_collision.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-internal-id-test
   on_boot:
     priority: -100
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_null_name.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_null_name.yaml
index 42eaacdd439..d5488761d68 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_null_name.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_null_name.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-null-name
 
 host:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_numeric_id_test.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_numeric_id_test.yaml
index 1669f026f5c..25decf20f51 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_numeric_id_test.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_numeric_id_test.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-numeric-id-test
   on_boot:
     priority: -100
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_rapid_cancellation.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_rapid_cancellation.yaml
index 4824654c5c6..530b8241f58 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_rapid_cancellation.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_rapid_cancellation.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: sched-rapid-cancel-test
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_recursive_timeout.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_recursive_timeout.yaml
index f1168802f6e..66b6f4b19bb 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_recursive_timeout.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_recursive_timeout.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: sched-recursive-timeout
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_removed_item_race.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_removed_item_race.yaml
index 2f8a7fb987b..55d2197d7ce 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_removed_item_race.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_removed_item_race.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-removed-item-race
 
 host:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_retry_test.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_retry_test.yaml
index ffe9082a69f..cdf71152bdc 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_retry_test.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_retry_test.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-retry-test
   on_boot:
     priority: -100
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_simultaneous_callbacks.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_simultaneous_callbacks.yaml
index 446ee7fdc0e..c15edc3ffd5 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_simultaneous_callbacks.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_simultaneous_callbacks.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: sched-simul-callbacks-test
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_lifetime.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_lifetime.yaml
index ebd5052b8bf..5ae5a1914e7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_lifetime.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_lifetime.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: scheduler-string-lifetime-test
 
 external_components:
diff --git a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_name_stress.yaml b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_name_stress.yaml
index d1ef55c8d5f..8f68d1d1023 100644
--- a/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_name_stress.yaml
+++ b/tests/integration/fixtures/scheduler_string_name_stress.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 esphome:
+  debug_scheduler: true  # Enable scheduler leak detection
   name: sched-string-name-stress
 
 external_components: