Abstract: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is widely used in various fields due to its advantages of easy processing and high chemical stability. However, HDPE is liable to generate and accumulate static electricity and has problems of low tensile strength and low thermal conductivity, which limits its application in some fields. HDPE/CNTs composites with a unique one-dimensional nanotube dispersed microstructure demonstrate better electrical, thermal and mechanical properties than HDPE, and have a wide application prospect. Therefore, HDPE/CNTs composites with excellent properties can be developed by modifying CNTs. The modification of CNTs and the latest research progress of HDPE/CNTs composites were investigated, and the research direction of HDPE/CNTs nanocomposites was prospected.