Heavy metal pollution such as water contamination by Pb, Hg, Cu, Cd and Cr ions is induced by rapid urbanization and industrialization and is a major threat to human health. One of the most efficient processes to clean contaminated water is adsorption. Adsorbents such as clay minerals and modified clays are efficient for the removal of metal ions from wastewater. This manuscript reviews current research in heavy metal adsorption by clay minerals such as halloysite, bentonite, montmorillonite, vermiculite and attapulgite, from 2013 to 2017, and highlights the main adsorption mechanisms. The structure, composition and synthesis of various clay minerals and modified clays are presented.