Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with low-priced, high-safety, and high synergistic efficiency have captured an ever-increasing amount of consideration and have been expected to be a promising choice to replace LIBs. However, the cathode materials of ZIBs reported have many shortcomings such as poor electron and zinc ion conductivity and complicated energy storage mechanisms. In this review, several typical cathode materials for ZIBs in recent years and their detailed energy storage mechanisms are summarized, and various improvement methods to enhance the electrochemical properties of ZIBs are briefly introduced. Eventually, the current problems and the expected development foregrounds of ZIBs are proposed. Display omitted Although lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have many advantages, they cannot satisfy the demands of numerous large energy storage industries owing to their high cost, low security, and low resource richness. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with low cost, high safety, and high synergistic efficiency have attracted an increasing amount of attention and are considered a promising choice to replace LIBs. However, the existing cathode materials for ZIBs have many shortcomings, such as poor electron and zinc ion conductivity and complex energy storage mechanisms. Thus, it is crucial to identify a cathode material with a stable structure, substantial limit, and suitability for ZIBs. In this review, several typical cathode materials for ZIBs employed in recent years and their detailed energy storage mechanisms are summarized, and various methods to enhance the electrochemical properties of ZIBs are briefly introduced. Finally, the existing problems and expected development directions of ZIBs are discussed.