The application of microbial technologies has become prominent in the scientific world, spanning various fields and prompting multi-disciplinary collaborations. A prominent example of microbial technology which has found application in water purification, wastewater management, pharmaceutical, food processing, manufacturing of therapeutic products, energy and agriculture etc. are bioreactors. While the use of bioreactors can be regarded as an emerging field in some applications, it has been proven as a viable methods in the field of biotechnology. These engineered systems facilitate the growth of microorganisms or plant cells in a controlled environment for specific scientific roles. This review presented the types of bioreactors recently reported, their configuration, characteristics and applications in the various fields of environmental management. The review covers the continuously stirred tank bioreactors (CSTBRs), Fluidized bed bioreactors (FBRs), Photobioreactors (PBRs), Airlift Bioreactors (ABRs) and Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs). Bioreactors have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of processing organic waste into valuable products such as biogas, fertilizers, and biofuels, while also advancing applications in water purification, antibiotic and enzyme production, and pharmaceutical innovation. The review presented current trends and prospects of bioreactor application and highlighted their potential to reduce environmental footprint and resource recovery.