Abstract: In recent years, nickel-based composite coatings are often used as the surface protection material of metal parts due to its mature technology and low cost, which provide high hardness and good wear resistance to the metal matrix. The optimization methods for preparing high hardness and wear-resistant nickel-based composite coatings were systematically reviewed, and the influence of several commonly used second phase particles on the hardness and wear resistance of the coatings was mainly introduced. Finally, the development of high hardness and wear-resistant nickel-based composite coatings was discussed.