Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used brominated flame-retardants in a variety of commercial products especially in the electronics and household industries. However, they are bioaccumulative, biotoxic and persistent, making them a globally distributed organic chemical toxin nowadays. Thus, it is extremely important to degrade PBDEs. This paper illustrates the research progress of metabolic pathways of PBDEs under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and also combines with in situ degradation studies to infer the degradation potential of archaea. The characteristics and comprehensive factors of various degradation pathways are analyzed. In addition, future researches on biodegradation mechanism of PBDEs, the design and application of PBDEs degradation system are discussed.