This study examined the effectiveness of less expensive adsorbents such as peat, fly ash and bentonite in removing phenol from wastewater by adsorption. Batch kinetic studies showed that an equilibrium time of 16, 5 and 16 h was needed for the adsorption of phenol on peat, fly ash and bentonite respectively. Batch studies indicated that the optimum pH for the adsorption of phenol on peat, fly ash and bentonite was between 4.0 to 5.0 at 21 ± 1°C. The adsorption of phenol on peat and bentonite was described well by the Freundlich isotherm whereas the Langmuir isotherm described the adsorption of phenol on fly ash. Peat, fly ash and bentonite were found to adsorb 46.1%, 41.6%, and 42.5% phenol respectively from an initial concentration of approximately I mg/l.