The article reviews the caloric materials that exhibit significant thermal changes near ferroic phase transitions, focusing on magnetocaloric (MC), electrocaloric (EC), and mechanocaloric (mC) effects. These effects are compared in terms of their history, experimental methods, performance, and potential cooling applications. The review highlights the development of these effects, from early observations in rubber and Rochelle salt to recent advancements in materials science. It discusses the challenges and opportunities in measuring these effects, including the need for direct and quasi-direct measurement techniques. The article also explores the potential of these materials in prototype heat pumps, emphasizing the importance of regenerators and the role of structural variations and chemical tuning. The review concludes by discussing the intrinsic merits and demerits of each caloric effect, potential future developments, and the challenges in heat pump design.The article reviews the caloric materials that exhibit significant thermal changes near ferroic phase transitions, focusing on magnetocaloric (MC), electrocaloric (EC), and mechanocaloric (mC) effects. These effects are compared in terms of their history, experimental methods, performance, and potential cooling applications. The review highlights the development of these effects, from early observations in rubber and Rochelle salt to recent advancements in materials science. It discusses the challenges and opportunities in measuring these effects, including the need for direct and quasi-direct measurement techniques. The article also explores the potential of these materials in prototype heat pumps, emphasizing the importance of regenerators and the role of structural variations and chemical tuning. The review concludes by discussing the intrinsic merits and demerits of each caloric effect, potential future developments, and the challenges in heat pump design.