Wireless receiver circuits and methods include algorithms for switching between a least-squares/minimum mean-square error method of channel estimation known as the CE algorithm, and a continuous plot method of channel estimation known as the CPCE algorithm based upon channel characteristics to improve reception of wireless communications in different reception conditions. In an embodiment, the CPCE algorithm may be selected by a processor for use in channel estimation when a calculated number of candidate paths is less than or equal to a first threshold value, a calculated power ratio of the L strongest paths to the total of all paths is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, and the maximum Automatic Gain Control variation is greater than or equal to a third threshold value. Threshold values may be based on field testing, and set to values at which the CE or CPCE algorithm exhibits better performance.