<p>Vanadium-based materials have attracted significant attention as cathode materials in aqueous zinc-ion batteries due to their multiple oxidation states, abundant reserves, and high theoretical specific capacity. Despite these advantages, challenges such as slow kinetics, poor electronic and ionic conductivity, structural collapse, and vanadium dissolution have impeded their practical development. This study presents a novel approach involving the synthesis of nano-sized vanadium glycerate solid spheres with smooth surfaces and uniform sizes via a straightforward one-step hydrothermal method. This advancement simplifies the synthesis process, avoiding complex multi-step procedures, small molecule intercalation, and carbon composites. The resulting solid spheres demonstrate impressive performance, with a specific capacity of 280 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, excellent rate capability of 245 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹, and exceptional long-term cycling stability, retaining 82% of their capacity after 800 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. During the charge–discharge process of the battery, the concurrent insertion and extraction of Zn²⁺ and H⁺ leads to the formation of new phases including Zn₂V₂O₇ and Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇·2H₂O, which promote ion transport and significantly enhance ionic conductivity. This work introduces a new strategy for optimizing vanadium alcohol oxide as a cathode material for AZIBs, offering both simplicity in synthesis and effectiveness in electrochemical performance.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>We synthesized uniform vanadium glycerate spheres via a facile solvothermal reaction, achieving superior electrochemical performance in aqueous zinc-ion batteries through enhanced ionic conductivity and structural stability, demonstrating excellent charge-discharge characteristics and cycling stability.</p> <p></p>