Abstract: At present, arc-based directed energy deposition (Arc-DED) technology is increasingly prominent in the field of aluminum alloy structure manufacturing, offering unique advantages and application potential. However, due to the inherent physicochemical properties of aluminum alloys, the thermal deposition process is highly prone to issues such as oxidation, deformation and porosity. Additionally, the heat accumulation effect during deposition can further increase the possibility of defects such as cracks, shape collapse, and residual stress in the deposited structures, severely constraining the improvement of manufacturing quality and production efficiency in aluminum alloy Arc-DED. These challenges greatly limit the widespread application of aluminum alloy Arc-DED structures in relevant industrial sectors. Addressing the higher demands of modern industry for improving quality and efficiency in aluminum alloy Arc-DED, the optimized energy input, the addition of modifiers, the introduction of auxiliary energy fields and heat treatment were reviewed from the pre-, mid-, and post-deposition stages. The advantages, disadvantages, and applicable ranges of these methods were comprehensively analyzed and future development directions for aluminum alloy Arc-DED technology were explored. The study provides important theoretical guidance and practical references for balancing the quality-efficiency trade-off in the production of high-performance aluminum alloy components and promoting the rapid advancement of aluminum alloy Arc-DED technology.