Abstract: Ammonia-nitrogen is not only one of the main pollutants in sewage, but also one of the main factors that cause the eutrophication of water body. Vermiculite, montmorillonite, zeolite and ion exchange resin are common but efficient ion exchange materials; therefore, their potential as ammonia -nitrogen adsorbents for wastewater treatment were extensively explored, and varied effects were reported. Based on the existing research results, the paper comparatively analyzes these commonly used ion exchange materials in terms of their structural characteristics, ion exchange and adsorption mechanisms. The status quo of their applications in ammonia-nitrogen wastewater treatment is introduced, and the application prospect of a new strategy that combines the effects of ion -exchange and biological activity for ammonia -nitrogen wastewater treatment is discussed.