<p>Whenever combined with carbon-based materials, zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanocomposites have shown great promise as multifunctional materials because of their excellent charge transport capabilities, high surface activity, and adjustable spinel structure. Recent developments in the synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄/carbon hybrids with graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and carbon nanotubes (CNT) using a variety of techniques, including modified Hummer’s method, hydrothermal synthesis, solid-state processing, and redox co-precipitation, are methodically summarized in this review. The effects of carbon inclusion on improving electron mobility and stability, strengthening interfacial bonding, decreasing particle size, and increasing crystallinity are highlighted in particular. To confirm the creation and functionality of these nanocomposites, detailed findings from structural, morphological, and spectroscopic characterisation methods (XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, XPS, Raman, TGA, and VSM) are discussed. The high adsorption capability of ZnFe₂O₄/rGO for heavy metal ions and organic dyes, the improved electrochemical performance of ZnFe₂O₄@rGO and ZnFe₂O₄@CNT hybrids in lithium-ion batteries with reversible capacities exceeding 1250 mAh/g, and the remarkable photocatalytic efficiency of ZnFe₂O₄/GO in dye degradation under visible light are highlighted in the application-oriented sections. Furthermore, new developments in biomedical imaging specifically, the use of MRI contrast are also looked at. The study concludes by highlighting possible avenues for developing ZnFe₂O₄/carbon nanocomposites toward sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and biomedical technologies, while highlighting important obstacles such as synthesis scalability, structural stability, and long-term performance.</p>