Abstract: Because no combustion process is involved in the smoking process of heated tobacco products, and the significant differences in the usage patterns and tobacco rod components between heated tobacco products and conventional cigarettes, heated tobacco products have characteristic aerosol components that are different from those found in smoke of conventional cigarettes. The present study summarized the recent research progress at home and abroad by classifying characteristic aerosol components from heated tobacco products into atomizing agents and their degradation products, additives and their decomposition products, pyrolytic components from the heating device as well as the other chemical components. The analytical methods for the characteristic components in the aerosol of heated tobacco products were reviewed, the challenges and shortcomings in the analysis of the aerosol of heated tobacco products were discussed, and the focus areas for future research were proposed to provide useful references for the development and quality control of heated tobacco products.