Ceramic materials are widely used in aerospace, medicine and energy transportation concerned for their excellent over-all mechanical and chemical properties, such as corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and oxidation resistance. Especially, joining ceramic materials themselves and connecting them with metals are of great significance for the practical engineering applications. Compared with traditional joining technology, electric-assisted joining technology possesses a variety of advantages, such as low temperature and short time, owing to the special influence of the electric field on some ceramic materials. This paper focuses on the development of the electric-field assisted joining technologies of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites, and summarizes their research status in recent years. From the views of joining mechanism, typical interface microstructure and joint strength and influencing factors, the electric-field assisted diffusion bonding (FDB), spark plasma sintering (SPS) joining, and the new low-temperature rapid flash joining (FJ) are reviewed. Moreover, the applicable scope and limitations of different electric-field assisted joining technologies are expounded. In addition, the development trend of the electric-field assisted joining technology of ceramic materials is prospected.