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Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) have recently attracted revived interest. However, critical issues pertaining to the labile zinc anode and sluggish air cathode have yet to be adequately addressed. Here, we demonstrate a redox-mediated zinc–air fuel cell (RM-ZAFC) to tackle the above problems. Upon operation, the complex cobalt triisopropanolamine serves as an electrolyte-borne electron carrier and homogeneous catalyst to boost the 4e^– oxygen reduction reaction in a separate gas diffusion tank, which makes the system free of a sophisticated air electrode. With mediation by the ultrafast reaction with a phenazine derivative, zinc could be liberated from the electrode to a separate “fuel” tank at high utilization (>90%), making it feasible to be “refueled” after it is depleted. Above all, RM-ZAFC has the combined advantages of both ZABs and alkaline fuel cells and can operate with high energy density, good flexibility …