In this work, four types of solvent systems for boron recovery from salt lake brines including aliphatic alcohol (monohydric alcohol, diol, mixed alcohol), aromatic polyhydroxy compound, amine compound containing hydroxyl group and ionic liquid were systematically reviewed, focusing on the recent research and application progress. The extraction mechanism of boron by various extractant systems were highly summarized to clearly explain the effect of extractant structures on the extraction performance. The extraction performance of different extractants and the influence of coexisting ions on the extraction process were analyzed, and the future research and development direction of boron extraction from salt lake brines were discussed. The monohydric alcohol was suitable for extracting boric acid under the conditions of high salting-out and acidity. But it also had serious disadvantages including low extraction rate, and severe equipment corrosion. Diol had higher extraction efficiency than monohydric alcohol, but it was difficult to realize large-scale industrial production due to high viscosity, high solution loss and difficult stripping from the loaded organic phase. Therefore, the recycling performance of diol extractant was relatively poor. The mixed alcohol system was suitable for industrial application of boron extraction from acid salt lake brines because of its synergistic extraction effect and low cost, and can also reduce viscosity and solution loss. Other systems, such as hydroxyl-containing aromatic and amine compounds, had good extraction effects on boron from alkaline salt lake brines, but they were generally expensive and difficult for industrial application. Ionic liquid can be used for boron extraction and diluent because of its advantages such as low volatility, good chemical stability and designable structure, which had a certain application prospect.