The work aims to explore the method of enhancing the hydrogel properties based on the review of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) based hydrogel structures and investigate its wider application. By referring to a large number of related literature, the properties of PNIPAM-based hydrogels were summarized. Then, the structure characteristics and preparation of the PNIPAM-based hydrogels were classified and discussed. The application of PNIPAM-based hydrogels in conductive sensors, drug release and adsorption materials were also generalized. PNIPAM-based hydrogel is a multifunctional materials with unique stimulus response, and it is the most explored thermal-responsive material at present. Its phase transition temperature, thermal response rate, molecular structure and mechanical properties can be adjusted by structural design, which provides a reference for the development of multifunctional hydrogel system in the future. The existing problems and solutions of PNIPAM-based hydrogels are put forward in order to design PNIPAM-based hydrogels with better properties.