Abstract: Copper-coated iron powders are the composite powders that the surfaces of iron powders are coated by copper to form the coating layer to improve the uneven microstructure and the composition segregation of the copper-iron mixed powders. The application and preparation methods of the copper-coated iron powders were reviewed in this paper. The basic principles and research progress of the copper-coated iron powders prepared by mechanical ball milling coating, displacement copper plating, and electroless copper plating were introduced, respectively. The problems in the preparation process of the copper-coated iron powders were summarized, and the development direction of the copper-coated iron powders was prospected.