<p>Energy storage technology is an important cornerstone for achieving environmental protection, and aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have become a strong contender among many energy storage technologies because of their high energy density, intrinsic safety, and unique cost advantages. The design of cathode materials is particularly critical in the large-scale development and application of AZIBs. Among them, vanadium-based oxides have been widely used in the study of cathode materials for AZIBs due to their high theoretical capacity, multivalent properties, and excellent electrochemical activity. However, vanadium-based oxides are one of the key factors limiting their practical applications owing to their inherent low electronic conductivity, slow kinetics, and poor cycling stability. Based on this, this work will discuss the inherent defects around which a series of modification strategies are systematically reviewed, including methods such as morphology modulation, conductive substance composites, heterogeneous structure design, interlayer modulation, defect engineering, and pre-embedding of guest substances. These modification strategies aim to enhance the electrochemical performance of vanadium-based oxides and further provide ideas for improving the overall electrochemical performance of AZIBs. At last, this work provides some insights into the current major bottlenecks of vanadium-based oxides, and proposes future solutions as well as an outlook on the development trend of AZIBs in the hope of promoting further breakthroughs of AZIBs in large-scale energy storage and contributing to the realization of the goals of global energy transition and sustainable development.</p>