Laboratory tests are commonly used to investigate seismic compression of sands. Research status and recent advances in laboratory tests of seismic compression of sands are reviewed. After a brief introduction to principles of seismic compression of sands, the applicable scope and characteristic of instruments are sketched in detail. And the advantages and disadvantages of each experimental method are discussed and compared. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the effects of internal factors(soil properties)and external factors(load characteristics)on seismic compression. Finally, the shortcomings of recent research are proposed, including compression prediction of field, multidimensional loads, directionality of loads and soil properties, which provides reference for further issues.