This study investigated the removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions using nanoparticle sorbents (TiO2, MgO, and Al2O3) with a range of experimental approaches. The maximum uptake values (sum of four metals) with multiple component solutions were 594.9, 114.6, and 49.4 mg g(-1), for MgO, Al2O3, and TiO2, respectively. The sorption equilibrium isotherms were described using the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The best interpretation for experiment data was given by the Freundlich model for Cd2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ in single-and multiple-component solutions. A first-order kinetic model adequately described the experimental data using MgO, Al2O3, and TiO2. SEM-EDX both before and after metal sorption and soil solution saturation indices (SI) in MgO nanoparticles indicated that the main sorption mechanism for heavy metals was attributable to adsorption and precipitation, whereas heavy metal sorption by TiO2 and Al2O3 adsorbents was due to adsorption. These nanoparticles may potentially be used as efficient sorbents for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. MgO nanoparticles were the most promising sorbents because of their high metal uptake.