Gaseous detonation is a method to obtain nanomaterials in a short time by gas explosion, which has been successfully applied to the preparation of carbon nanomaterials and oxides. Compared with other nanomaterials preparation methods, gaseous detonation method has the advantages of high efficiency, convenience, high yield and green environmental protection. The instrumentation and operation procedures required for the preparation of nanomaterials by gaseous detonation were described. Secondly, the morphology, structure, and performance characteristics of carbonaceous nanomaterials and metal oxide nanomaterials prepared by gaseous detonation were presented. At the same time, the current status of the growth mechanism of nanomaterials was analysed and summarized. Moreover, the progress of the research on nanomaterials prepared by gaseous detonation in the areas of photocatalysis, electromagnetic wave absorption, and friction resistance was summarized. Finally, the application potential and technological prospect of the gaseous detonation method and the nanomaterials prepared by the method were discussed, which can provide a useful reference for the industrialised large-scale synthesis of nanomaterials by the gaseous detonation method.