Polymerizable surfactant monomers (abbreviated as surfmers) are a kind of functional surfactants

which not only have hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups but also contain polymerizable vinyl double bonds. The special molecular architecture imparts them unique physicochemical properties: amphipathic property and polymerizability. Surfmers as novel polymerizable monomers have wide application value in the field of industrial production and scientific research. This review briefly summarizes synthesis and properties of six kinds of surfmers with different charges and their application. New trends and future perspectives of their research area are also proposed.