Hard carbon (HC) is considered the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its abundance, low cost, and high reversible specific capacity. This review summarizes recent advancements in HC preparation methods, focusing on traditional and advanced strategies to enhance performance, including initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), specific capacity, and rate capability. Traditional methods, such as high-temperature carbonization, are compared with advanced strategies like pre-treatment, post-treatment, and template-assisted approaches. Challenges in scaling up production and improving electrochemical performance are discussed, along with future directions for high-performance HC anodes. The review highlights the importance of microstructure regulation, defect control, and pore engineering to optimize HC performance. Advanced strategies, including low-temperature hydrogen reduction, pre-oxidation, chemical activation, and template-assisted methods, are presented as promising approaches to achieve high-performance HC anodes. These methods improve ICE, specific capacity, and cycle stability, while also enabling scalable production. The review emphasizes the need for further research to develop efficient and cost-effective HC preparation techniques for industrial applications.Hard carbon (HC) is considered the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its abundance, low cost, and high reversible specific capacity. This review summarizes recent advancements in HC preparation methods, focusing on traditional and advanced strategies to enhance performance, including initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), specific capacity, and rate capability. Traditional methods, such as high-temperature carbonization, are compared with advanced strategies like pre-treatment, post-treatment, and template-assisted approaches. Challenges in scaling up production and improving electrochemical performance are discussed, along with future directions for high-performance HC anodes. The review highlights the importance of microstructure regulation, defect control, and pore engineering to optimize HC performance. Advanced strategies, including low-temperature hydrogen reduction, pre-oxidation, chemical activation, and template-assisted methods, are presented as promising approaches to achieve high-performance HC anodes. These methods improve ICE, specific capacity, and cycle stability, while also enabling scalable production. The review emphasizes the need for further research to develop efficient and cost-effective HC preparation techniques for industrial applications.