<p>The increasing contamination of water resources by heavy metals poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of efficient, and low-cost and sustainable remediation strategies. This review focuses on the application of zero-valent metals (ZVMs), particularly zero-valent iron (ZVI), for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous environments. ZVMs act primarily through redox reactions, adsorption, and co-precipitation, offering advantages such as strong reducing power, environmental compatibility, and cost-effectiveness. The paper discusses the physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and factors influencing the performance of ZVMs in water treatment. It further explores the role of particle size, surface modification, and composite formation in enhancing removal efficiency. While ZVI remains the most widely studied, other ZVMs, such as magnesium, zinc, and aluminum, are gaining attention for their unique properties and removal capabilities. However, challenges including passivation, limited selectivity, and nanoparticle aggregation hinder large-scale application. Strategies such as bimetallic systems and hybrid materials are reviewed to overcome these limitations. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential and limitations of ZVMs, highlighting future research directions to optimize their use in sustainable water treatment technologies.</p>