A review of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) highlights recent progress and future directions. ZABs are promising for high-capacity applications due to their low environmental impact, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as parasitic reactions, slow oxygen kinetics, and poor performance persist. Recent advancements include improved anode structures, alternative electrolytes, and bifunctional oxygen catalysts, leading to enhanced battery performance and energy efficiency exceeding 70%. Despite these improvements, issues like lower power density, shorter lifespan, and air electrode corrosion remain. The review discusses various ZAB configurations, reaction mechanisms, and strategies to enhance performance. It emphasizes the importance of understanding electrocatalytic reactions, interface stability, and material design for commercial viability. Key areas of focus include anode materials, electrolytes, separators, and air electrodes. Innovations in anode materials, such as 3D porous structures and coatings, improve reversibility and reduce dendrite formation. Electrolytes, including gel and ionic liquid-based ones, enhance performance and stability. Separators must be electrically conductive, ion-permeable, and mechanically robust. Air electrodes require efficient catalysts for both oxygen reduction and evolution. Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, such as transition metal oxides and carbon-based materials, are crucial for improving reaction kinetics and battery efficiency. The review concludes with a focus on future research directions to advance ZABs for practical applications.A review of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) highlights recent progress and future directions. ZABs are promising for high-capacity applications due to their low environmental impact, safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as parasitic reactions, slow oxygen kinetics, and poor performance persist. Recent advancements include improved anode structures, alternative electrolytes, and bifunctional oxygen catalysts, leading to enhanced battery performance and energy efficiency exceeding 70%. Despite these improvements, issues like lower power density, shorter lifespan, and air electrode corrosion remain. The review discusses various ZAB configurations, reaction mechanisms, and strategies to enhance performance. It emphasizes the importance of understanding electrocatalytic reactions, interface stability, and material design for commercial viability. Key areas of focus include anode materials, electrolytes, separators, and air electrodes. Innovations in anode materials, such as 3D porous structures and coatings, improve reversibility and reduce dendrite formation. Electrolytes, including gel and ionic liquid-based ones, enhance performance and stability. Separators must be electrically conductive, ion-permeable, and mechanically robust. Air electrodes require efficient catalysts for both oxygen reduction and evolution. Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, such as transition metal oxides and carbon-based materials, are crucial for improving reaction kinetics and battery efficiency. The review concludes with a focus on future research directions to advance ZABs for practical applications.