The wireless transfer of electricity has gained vast importance in recent years. Many attempts had been done in this regard. The information generated is quite scattered and distributed. There is a need to harmonize the research findings of various researchers in an adept way. This review paper presents the critical evaluation of the research works done in the field of wireless power transmission since 1891. The attempt has been done in a cohesive way to connect the various findings and discussing their capabilities and limitations. The paper also highlights the major challenges faced by the research area and the new area of applications. The study closes with a conclusive review of latest scientific techniques and theoretical concepts, currently prevalent in wireless power transmission. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2016.