<p>In recent years, superhard coatings have emerged as a focal point in metal material research due to their innovative design strategies and exceptional mechanical properties. They are widely utilized in industries such as shielding, oil extraction, and coal mining. However, in practical applications, tools often suffer from wear, fractures, plastic deformation, and other types of failure, directly impacting machining efficiency, costs, and product quality. To mitigate these challenges, the selection of appropriate tool materials and preparation methods is critical to ensure sustained production efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to identify and develop coating materials with superior performance. Recent advancements in superhard coatings are reviewed comprehensively; preparation methods are discussed for superhard tools; diamond coatings, diamond-like carbon coatings, cubic boron nitride coatings and graphite carbon nitride coatings are examined specifically. It analyzes their microstructures, phase transformation processes, mechanical properties, and formation mechanisms, while also evaluating properties such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high hardness. The applicability of existing theoretical models is verified and new frameworks for future superhard coating designs are proposed. Moreover, the current research limitations in tool coatings are identified and directions for future research and development are proposed.</p>