The rapid depletion of lithium resources and the increasing demand for electrical energy storage have stimulated the pursuit of emerging electrochemical energy storage. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are highly sought after for their low cost, high safety, and increased environmental compatibility. However, the search for suitable cathode materials is still tricky for a wide range of researchers. Vanadium oxides (V x O y ), with their abundant vanadium valence, easily deformable VÀ O polyhedrons, and tunable chemical compositions, are of significant advantage in developing emerging materials. This work provides a detailed review of different V x O y for the application in aqueous ZIBs. The current problems and optimization strategies of V x O y cathode materials are systematically discussed. Finally, the current challenges and possible directions for future research of V x O y cathode materials in aqueous ZIBs are presented.