<p>Ni_0.5Zn_0.5RE_0.05Fe_1.95O₄ (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Y) powders were synthesized using the sol-gel self-combustion method, and the effects of RE³⁺ doping and sintering temperatures on their structure, magnetic properties and electromagnetic wave absorption performance were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicate lattice distortion in Ni-Zn ferrites results in an increase in lattice constants and a decrease in grain size, and the secondary phase REFeO₃ (CeO₂) is observed. This indicates that the solid solution limit of rare earth ions in nickel zinc ferrite is relatively small, and the formation of the second phase may lead to iron deficiency in the primary phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrate that RE³⁺ion doping makes the grain distribution more uniform. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis reveals that doping with RE³⁺ ions decreases the saturation magnetization of Ni-Zn ferrites and the change in coercivity is related to the sintering temperature. Under sintering conditions of 900&#xa0;°C, RE³⁺ion doping increases the coercivity of Ni-Zn ferrite, while under sintering conditions of 1250&#xa0;°C, RE³⁺ion doping decreases the coercivity. Vector network analyzer (VNA) test results indicate that doping with RE³⁺ is difficult to increase the dielectric loss of NZFO in the gigahertz frequency band, but it can enhance the impedance matching effect. At lower sintering temperatures, rare earth doping is beneficial for nickel zinc ferrite to improve reflection loss and expand absorption bandwidth. while at higher sintering temperatures, due to significant grain growth, the influence of the second phase generated by rare earth doping on the main phase is significantly reduced. The minimum reflection loss of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Dy_0.05Fe_1.95O₄ sintered at 900/3 is -22.38 dB, with a corresponding effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 3.39&#xa0;GHz, and the EAB of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Pr_0.05Fe_1.95O₄ in the C and Ku band is 4.23&#xa0;GHz.</p>