<p>Bacterial infections, as a global public health problem, are a serious threat to human life and health safety with the significant increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Polyoxometalates (POMs), with their unique structure, and high biocompatibility and designability, have received widespread attention in the field of antimicrobials, showing great potential, which has led to the design of various strategies to fabricate POM-based composites with antimicrobial properties. In this paper, the preparation strategies based on the biological components of POMs and their organic derivatives are reviewed, and the latest progress in the design and preparation of various antimicrobial POM-based materials and the practical application of POM antibacterial materials in some fields are introduced in detail from four aspects: pure inorganic POMs, POM-based materials bound to organic small molecules, POM-based materials bound to organic biomolecules, and POM-based nanocomposites. In addition, the potential antimicrobial mechanisms of POMs are summarized, and the significant advantages of POMs in collaboration with antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria are demonstrated. The limitations and prospects of current research are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can help researchers to keep abreast of the development of POM-based antimicrobial materials, thus promoting their development, application, and large-scale production.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>