Ceramic materials are widely used in aerospace, medicine and energy transportation concerned for their excellent over-all mechanical and chemical properties, such as corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance.Especially, the joining of ceramic materials themselves and connecting with metal is of great significance for the practical engineering applications. Compared with traditional joining technology, electric-assisted joining technology possesses a variety of advantages, such as low temperature and short time, etc. owing to the special influence of the electric field on some ceramic materials. This paper focused on the development of the electric-field assisted joining technologies of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites, and summarized their research statuses in recent years. From the views of joining mechanism, typical interface microstructure and joint strength and influencing factors, the electric-field assisted diffusion bonding (FDB), SPS (Spark plasma sintering) joining, and the new low-temperature rapid flash joining (FJ) were reviewed. Moreover, the applicable scope and limitations of different electric-field assisted joining technologies were expounded. In addition, the development trend of the electric-field assisted joining technology of ceramic materials was prospected.