With the rapid economic development, the demand for energy continues to increase, and the emission of CO₂ gas keep growing. The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (ERC) to fuel and chemicals is an effective way to realize the conversion and utilization of CO₂ as well as the storage of renewable energy. Cu?based catalysts are one of the materials which can directly reduce CO₂ to high value?added chemicals(such as hydrocarbons) with high efficiency. Thus, the Cu?based catalysts have been one of the research focus of ERC technology research. The main research progress of Cu?based catalysts for ERC technology in recent years is reviewed. Firstly, reaction principle of ERC and the technology challenge are summarized, and then the cooperative control strategy for the structure and composition of copper?based catalysts is discussed for monometallic copper?based catalysts, polymetallic copper?based catalysts, copper oxide and oxide?derived copper catalysts, and copper?organic composite catalysts. In addition, research progress and unsolved problems of Cu?based catalysts are also summarized. Finally, the future trend these catalysts is also prospected.