Aqueous alkaline batteries (AABs) with the merits of cost-effectiveness, environmental benignity and high safety have attracted extensive interests and considered as the most promising stational energy storage system. As potential anode candidates in AABs, bismuth-based materials show special advantages such as non-toxic, low redox potential and high theoretical capacity. In this review, we overview the structure of Bi based materials and their energy storage mechanism. Then the application of Bi and its compound in AABs including modification strategies are summarized. In addition, perspectives on future anode design and innovation direction are provided for the further investigation and development of Bi-based AABs.