Abstract: In order to solve the problem of large deformation of soft rock and the support problem caused by rock? burst in underground works such as deep tunnels and galleries, researchers have devised the energy-absorbing rockbolts with various deformation energy-absorbing mechanisms in the past few decades, and they have also devised the testing methods and equipment that can quantity the static and dynamic performance of energy-absorbing rockbolts, with many research achievements. In review of the energy-absorbing mechanisms, working performance and static/dynamic performance test methods of the existing energy-absorbing rockbolts and based on the working mechanism of energy-absorbing rockbolt, the energy-absorbing rockbolts can be classified into two types, i.e. material deformation energy-absorbing rockbolt and structural deformation energy-absorbing rockbolt. The testing methods and equipment used for static tension and dynamic impact tests of energy-absorbing rockbolt are systematically explained. Depending on their energy-absorbing properties and deformation capacity, the performance of energy-absorbing rockbolt can be classified as low, medium, high or very high. The application prospect of energy-absorbing rockbolt and its direction research have been examined and predicted.