Hernia is a common disease in general surgery, and surgical repair remains the only curative treatment at present. To restore the structural integrity and functional stability of the abdominal wall, hernia repair procedures usually require the implantation of mesh for reconstruction. With the continuous development of materials science and engineering technology, hernia repair materials have become increasingly diverse in type and structure, exhibiting notable differences in mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and clinical indications; however, the ideal repair material remains to be further explored. The promotion of the ambulatoryhernia surgery model has imposed higher requirements on hernia repair materials. This article systematically reviews the development history and current research status of hernia repair materials, with a focus on commonly used mesh types and their clinical application characteristics. In addition, in light of recent trends in material design, the future development directions are analyzed, with the aim of providing a reference for the rational selection of hernia repair materials and for related research.