Abstract: Gliding arc plasma combines the advantages of both thermal and cold plasma, showing great application prospects in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal. Various types of gliding arc generators and their characteristics were introduced based on the exposition of the generation principle and basic properties of gliding arc plasma. By summarizing and collating the relevant literature at home and abroad, the key factors affecting the removal efficiency of VOCs and the differences in the performance of different gliding arc reactors in VOCs abatement were summarized. Finally, the mechanism of VOCs purification by gliding arc plasma was discussed and the future research directions of this technology were prospected.