Abstract: The global clean energy landscape faces significant challenges. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to the abundant zinc resources, low cost, high safety, and environmentally friendly properties, becoming a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Based on a review of the structural composition, operating principles, and development history of AZIBs, this paper points out the current problems and challenges they face, mainly, including low cathode material capacity, poor anode cycling stability and severe side reactions, and a narrow electrolyte window, etc. Among current strategies for improving AZIB performance, the preparation of composite electrolytes has attracted considerable attention due to their ease of operation, manageable cost and practicality. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the research trends in AZIBs electrolyte additives, systematically reviewing the progress of three different types of electrolyte additives, and clearly proposing future development directions for AZIBs electrolyte additives. This research contributes to the innovative development of AZIB composite electrolytes, potentially further improving AZIB performance and positively impacting the development of next-generation energy storage technologies.