Zn-based batteries have gained significant attention as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their cost-effectiveness, enhanced intrinsic safety, and favorable electrochemical performance. This review comprehensively presents recent advances in designing high-performance Zn-based batteries and elucidating energy storage mechanisms. The article systematically summarizes various redox mechanisms in Zn-based batteries, including insertion-type, conversion-type, coordination-type, and catalysis-type mechanisms. It also highlights design strategies aimed at enhancing the electrochemical performance of Zn-based batteries, focusing on aspects such as output voltage, capacity, energy density, and cycle life. Additionally, the challenges and future prospects of Zn-based batteries are discussed, emphasizing the need to address issues such as limited discharging capacity, low operating voltage, low energy density, and short cycle life. The review underscores the importance of understanding the energy storage mechanisms and exploring new reaction mechanisms to further improve the performance of Zn-based batteries.Zn-based batteries have gained significant attention as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their cost-effectiveness, enhanced intrinsic safety, and favorable electrochemical performance. This review comprehensively presents recent advances in designing high-performance Zn-based batteries and elucidating energy storage mechanisms. The article systematically summarizes various redox mechanisms in Zn-based batteries, including insertion-type, conversion-type, coordination-type, and catalysis-type mechanisms. It also highlights design strategies aimed at enhancing the electrochemical performance of Zn-based batteries, focusing on aspects such as output voltage, capacity, energy density, and cycle life. Additionally, the challenges and future prospects of Zn-based batteries are discussed, emphasizing the need to address issues such as limited discharging capacity, low operating voltage, low energy density, and short cycle life. The review underscores the importance of understanding the energy storage mechanisms and exploring new reaction mechanisms to further improve the performance of Zn-based batteries.