AbstractSolar energy, as a low‐cost, abundant and clean energy, has enormous potential to alleviate water shortages. Solar steam generation (SSG) is a promising solar‐to‐thermal conversion technology that has been effectively applied for clean water production, desalination and sewage treatment. In this review, the recent developments of photothermal materials from a light absorption capacity and structural design have been summarized. Based on thermal management and transporting water, the advantages and disadvantages of volume systems, surface system and isolation system to get the optimal solar evaporator structure have been presented. This work aims to provide a pointer for rational design of photothermal evaporators for clean water production and a direction to large engineering systems for realizing commercialization of SSG.