<p>The urgent need for renewable energy has driven rapid advancements in hydrogen production technologies. Among these, water electrolysis for green hydrogen, recognized for its significant environmental benefits, has garnered increasing attention and emerged as a critical technology for achieving carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions targets. Currently, the mainstream electrolyzers include alkaline water electrolyzers (AWE), proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEM), and anion exchange membrane electrolyzers (AEM). However, these technologies face significant challenges in large-scale industrial applications, including high costs, limited hydrogen production efficiency, and insufficient durability. Consequently, the development of innovative electrolyzers that combine high efficiency, low cost, and long lifespan has become imperative. In this review, the innovative design of bipolar membrane electrolyzers is first introduced. Subsequently, several types of advanced electrolyzers are summarized, including semi-vapor electrolyzers, electrolyzers employing flow-engineered three-dimensional electrodes, quasi-gas-phase electrolyzers, and bioinspired structural electrolyzers, and their specific advantages and potential applications are discussed in detail. Following this, this review delves into two key strategies for achieving membrane-free electrolyzers, analyzing their design principles and practical applicability. Last but not least, the challenges faced by the further development of electrolyzers were analyzed, and potential solutions were proposed, aiming to promote breakthrough advancements in hydrogen production through water electrolysis.</p>