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• The resonance frequency of BaFe 12 O 19 is effectively shifted to 2–18 GHz by Zr4+-Ni2+ doping. • Greatly enhanced microwave absorption of the ferrites is obtained by sintering in Ar. • The regulated resonance behavior and improved microwave absorption are explained. To achieve excellent microwave absorption properties within the frequency range of 2–18 GHz, Zr4+-Ni2+ co-doped barium ferrites BaFe 12-2x (ZrNi) x O 19 have been synthesized through a sol–gel process and subsequent sintering. Broadened bandwidth of ∼6.9 GHz and strong microwave absorption of −59.3 dB is attained for the ferrite with x = 0.6 and sintering in Ar. The excellent microwave absorption properties are attributed to both the effective shifting of resonance peaks by Zr4+-Ni2+ substitution and the enhanced dielectric loss by generating lattice vacancies through the oxygen-deficient sintering process. This work would be helpful to understand the nature of manipulating the resonance behaviors and further improving the microwave absorption efficiency of traditional ferrite absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]