In order to solve the strong coupling problems between three-phase currents and between reactive current and active current of shunt active power filter (SAPF) and then achieve the goal of improving load compensation effect, this paper summarizes the research work on the decoupling control of active power filters by relevant scholars in recent years. Firstly, the structure and characteristics of SAPF are analyzed. Then based on different types of built models, the structure characteristics and control method of three-phase three-wire SAPF, three-phase four-wire SAPF and SHAPF are analyzed comparatively, and the research process and mutual relation of various decoupling control strategies of active power filter in recent years are studied. Finally, the development of SAPF decoupling control is prospected combined with the recent rising control method. This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61165006).