<p>Electrochemical actuators have attracted wide attention in soft robotics because of the softness, light weight, and low energy consumption. Here, an electrochemical actuator based on soft and conductive bucky gels has been developed by hot-pressing method. The bucky gels present considerable electrical and mechanical properties that greatly promote actuating deformations of devices. The actuator can be driven by a low-voltage of 2.5&#xa0;V, and its actuation mechanism is based on capacitive behavior of asymmetric electrode expansion under electrical stimulation. The device exhibits a high specific capacity of 48.3 F g⁻¹ at the current density of 1 A g⁻¹. As a result, a large actuating displacement has been achieved as high as 18&#xa0;mm at the frequency of 0.1&#xa0;Hz, and it displays obvious deformation at higher frequency of 1&#xa0;Hz. Our study provides an insight into design of soft gels for flexible actuators and promotes application in soft robotics.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>