<p>Cadmium (Cd²⁺) contamination in water remains a major environmental concern, creating a strong demand for sorbents that are both efficient and economically accessible. In this study, uniform carbon spheres (CSs) were prepared from sucrose through a simple hot-oil thermochemical process conducted under ambient pressure, avoiding the need for pressurized equipment. The resulting CSs exhibited a specific surface area of approximately 375&#xa0;m² g⁻¹ and were enriched with oxygen-containing functional groups, which are favorable for metal-ion interaction. The adsorption behavior toward Cd²⁺ was evaluated through equilibrium, kinetic, and solution-condition experiments. The material showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 5.04&#xa0;mg g⁻¹, and the equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption on a relatively homogeneous surface. Analysis using the Dubinin–Radushkevich model suggested that Cd²⁺ uptake occurred predominantly through physical interactions. Kinetic results showed very fast adsorption, with equilibrium reached within 120&#xa0;s, and the uptake process was better described by the Elovich model. Adsorption performance was most favorable near neutral pH, whereas increased ionic strength and competing ions caused a moderate reduction in Cd²⁺ uptake, most likely because of site competition and reduced access to active binding sites. In addition, the synthesized CSs demonstrated effective solid-phase extraction (SPE) behavior, enabling rapid separation from the aqueous phase and Cd²⁺ recovery above 99% after elution with dilute nitric acid. These results suggest that sucrose-derived CSs are a promising low-cost and rapidly acting sorbent for cadmium removal and sample preconcentration in water treatment applications.</p>