Zirconia-based ceramics for thermal barrier coatings is a key technology of aircraft engine. Since pure zirconia coating can not be applied directly, it is necessary to add stabilizers agent into it. According to the investigated results of stable zirconia-based ceramics for thermal barrier coatings doped with one component oxide, two component oxide and multicomponent oxide, the progress on zirconia-based ceramics for thermal barrier coatings made in phase stability, service temperature, thermal cycle life, thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion was systematically summarized in this paper. On this basis, the future research and development trend of zirconia-based ceramics for thermal barrier coatings are prospected.