Abstract: Copper and copper alloys are widely used in electrical contact materials, electronic packaging materials, heat exchange materials and other fields because of their high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, easy machinability and corrosion resistance. However, the contradiction between strength, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity in copper alloys limits its development. Copper matrix composites can improve the strength of materials by strengthening phase, avoid serious lattice distortion to copper matrix, and maximize the conductivity of materials, thus obtaining materials with excellent strength-resistance ratio. Therefore, copper matrix composites are an important development direction of high performance copper materials. In this paper, the main preparation methods of high performance copper matrix composites are summarized, and the reinforcing phase of composites, its characteristics and development direction are summarized. The main research progress and its application status in rail transit, electrics and electronics, military industry are described, and the future development direction of this material is prospected, which provides reference for the research and application of high performance copper matrix composites.