Electrocatalytic water splitting, powered by clean energy sources, represents a sustainable method for hydrogen (H2) production. Although extensive research has concentrated on performance indicators like current density and faradaic efficiency, the widespread adoption of electrocatalytic water splitting encounters challenges primarily due to high cell voltages and electricity costs. These issues stem from the sluggish kinetics of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Various efforts to replace sluggish OER with thermodynamically more favorable anodic reactions have been demonstrated as pathbreaking strategies for energy-efficient H2 evolution. In this concept, we aim to comprehensively explore alternative electrochemical oxidation reactions combined with H2 evolution and propose insights for the future development of cost-effective integrated electrolysis for H2 production.