In view of the global concern about the occurrence of taste and odor (T&O) compounds in waters for drinking water supply and the necessity for the development of more innovative and efficient technologies for water treatment and depuration, the focus of this study is to provide a state of the art overview on current knowledge for the application of advanced oxidation technologies for the treatment of T&O compounds in aquatic media. The most representative and newly emerging compounds belonging to the major groups of T&O compounds, such as geosmin, methylisoborneol, benzothiazoles, mercaptans and sulfides as well as aromatic and other miscellaneous T&O compounds, are included in the systematic overview. The current data has been compiled and extensively discussed in terms of the degree of degradation, reaction kinetics, effect of operational parameters and water quality, identity of intermediate and final products and possible transformation pathways. Display omitted •The applications of AOPs for the treatment of T&O compounds in water are reviewed.•AOPs exhibited fast kinetics and great degrees of mineralization of T&O compounds.•The main effects of operational parameters and water constituents are discussed.•An overview of the transformation products and reaction mechanisms is provided.•Data gaps and future research needs of AOPs for T&O removal have been assessed.