The iron ore resources are abundant in China, but showing poor, fine, miscellaneous characteristics, more than 98% of iron ore resources need to be beneficiation processing to be effectively utilized. Grinding process, as a preparatory process for the processing and utilization of iron ore, plays a crucial role in the subsequent separation indexes. However, it has high energy consumption and low energy utilization rate, especially during fine and ultrafine grinding, which consumes more energy and is not conducive to reducing mineral processing costs. Adding grinding aids in the grinding process is one of the effective measures to improve grinding efficiency and reduce production costs. By reviewing the research and application status of grinding aids in the field of iron ore grinding, the development and application of new grinding aids, the impact of grinding aids on subsequent operations, and the action mechanism of grinding aids, it is pointed out that the selection and application of iron ore grinding aids need to be adapted to the properties of the ore, the grinding environment, and the grinding conditions. It is necessary to strengthen the development of new grinding aids and the research on their impacts on subsequent mineral processing operations, so as to provide guidance for the selection and application of grinding aids in the field of iron ore grinding.