Biochar, due to its tunable large specific surface and porosity, exhibit a great potential as a sorbent for metal ions removal from aquatic systems. Biochar potentially be a good material by imparting the particular functionalities using chemical and physical impregnation. Biochar based composites can be prepared with various additives including clay minerals, carbonaceous materials, metals and metal oxides. They have environmental benefits and confer to enhance pollutant removal capacity. Biochar composite prepared using different techniques have shown enhanced adsorption potentials for various inorganic contaminants. The factors are discussed for their effect on biochar properties, adsorption process and mechanism that involved for adsorption. Modification of biochar alters the functionalities and surface characteristics including functional groups, surface charge, surface area and porosity. The composites enhance the adsorption capacity of the molecules while some negatively affect the adsorption due to charge accumulation on biochar surface and pores obstruction due to over coating. Biochar is in infancy in environmental remediation and more research required for commercialization of the new technology and to reach scalability. Herein, recommendations have been made to prepare biochar and composites for heavy metal ions adsorption from wastewater.