since the first ordered mesoporous silica molecular sieve (MCM-41) was reported, the silicon hollow sphere has gradually become an attractive material. Hollow silica microsphere particles (HSP) are a unique type of inorganic material characterized by their internal cavity structure. They not only inherit the properties of silica but also exhibit unique advantages such as low density, high specific surface area, special mesoporous structure, high stability, excellent adsorption properties, and outstanding biocompatibility, making them a research hotspot in recent decades. In order to obtain HSP with controllable structure and excellent performance, continuous innovations have been made in their synthesis methods. Classic methods for HSP preparation include template synthesis, chemical etching, and spray drying. Among them, template synthesis enables the controlled preparation of microsphere morphology and size, chemical etching shapes the microsphere pore walls, and the convenient spray drying method meets the needs of continuous industrial production. Additionally, novel microfluidic methods offer advantages such as rapid reaction, high productivity, and ease of automation. In summary, diverse preparation methods can yield HSP with varying performances, which find wide applications in fields such as biomedicine, thermal insulation, catalysis, energy storage, and functional coatings. Specifically, HSP can achieve targeted drug delivery and controlled release under external environmental stimuli, loading active particles can significantly improve catalytic efficiency, and their use as powder fillers can greatly enhance energy storage density and exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties, showcasing tremendous application potential. The development of HSP in preparation methods and application areas deserves continuous exploration. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the existing preparation methods and various applications of HSP to date, and offers prospects for their future development.