This review critically examines the challenges and recent advances in room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) batteries, focusing on their potential as next-generation energy storage systems. RT-Na/S batteries offer high energy and power densities, but practical implementation is hindered by issues such as Na metal dendrite growth, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), significant volume changes, and polysulfide shuttling. The review highlights the importance of critical parameters like sulfur loading, electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio, and N/P ratio in determining the actual gravimetric energy density of the batteries. An empirical equation is proposed to estimate the energy density under practical conditions, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications. The review discusses the challenges faced by both Na metal anodes and S cathodes. Na metal anodes suffer from dendrite growth, unstable SEI layers, and poor cycling stability, while S cathodes face sluggish redox kinetics, large volume changes, and the shuttle effect due to polysulfide dissolution. Electrolytes also pose challenges, as ether-based electrolytes are favorable for Na anodes but poor for S cathodes, and ester-based electrolytes are better for S cathodes but unstable for Na anodes. The review emphasizes the need for practical parameters such as depth of discharge (DOD) and electrolyte-to-sulfur (E/S) ratio, which are often overlooked in laboratory studies. Recent research has focused on functional host materials, artificial SEI layers, and current collector modifications to enhance the stability and performance of RT-Na/S batteries. Functional host materials, such as carbon-based composites and metal compounds, have been shown to improve Na metal plating and SEI stability. Artificial SEI layers, including coatings of transition metals and inorganic compounds, have been developed to protect Na metal anodes from side reactions and dendrite formation. Current collector modifications, such as fluorination and coating with functional materials, have also been explored to enhance sodiophilicity and cycling stability. The review also discusses the potential of liquid Na-K alloys as an alternative to Na metal anodes, which can dissolve dendrites during growth. However, challenges such as interface instability and the need for stable SEI layers remain. For S cathodes, nanocomposite catalytic cathodes have been developed to accelerate the conversion of polysulfides and improve cycling performance. Porous host materials, including carbon-based composites and metal oxides, have been shown to enhance sulfur utilization and suppress the shuttle effect. Overall, the review underscores the importance of addressing critical parameters and developing practical solutions to overcome the challenges facing RT-Na/S batteries, aiming to achieve high energy density and stable performance for real-world applications.This review critically examines the challenges and recent advances in room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) batteries, focusing on their potential as next-generation energy storage systems. RT-Na/S batteries offer high energy and power densities, but practical implementation is hindered by issues such as Na metal dendrite growth, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), significant volume changes, and polysulfide shuttling. The review highlights the importance of critical parameters like sulfur loading, electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio, and N/P ratio in determining the actual gravimetric energy density of the batteries. An empirical equation is proposed to estimate the energy density under practical conditions, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications. The review discusses the challenges faced by both Na metal anodes and S cathodes. Na metal anodes suffer from dendrite growth, unstable SEI layers, and poor cycling stability, while S cathodes face sluggish redox kinetics, large volume changes, and the shuttle effect due to polysulfide dissolution. Electrolytes also pose challenges, as ether-based electrolytes are favorable for Na anodes but poor for S cathodes, and ester-based electrolytes are better for S cathodes but unstable for Na anodes. The review emphasizes the need for practical parameters such as depth of discharge (DOD) and electrolyte-to-sulfur (E/S) ratio, which are often overlooked in laboratory studies. Recent research has focused on functional host materials, artificial SEI layers, and current collector modifications to enhance the stability and performance of RT-Na/S batteries. Functional host materials, such as carbon-based composites and metal compounds, have been shown to improve Na metal plating and SEI stability. Artificial SEI layers, including coatings of transition metals and inorganic compounds, have been developed to protect Na metal anodes from side reactions and dendrite formation. Current collector modifications, such as fluorination and coating with functional materials, have also been explored to enhance sodiophilicity and cycling stability. The review also discusses the potential of liquid Na-K alloys as an alternative to Na metal anodes, which can dissolve dendrites during growth. However, challenges such as interface instability and the need for stable SEI layers remain. For S cathodes, nanocomposite catalytic cathodes have been developed to accelerate the conversion of polysulfides and improve cycling performance. Porous host materials, including carbon-based composites and metal oxides, have been shown to enhance sulfur utilization and suppress the shuttle effect. Overall, the review underscores the importance of addressing critical parameters and developing practical solutions to overcome the challenges facing RT-Na/S batteries, aiming to achieve high energy density and stable performance for real-world applications.