In the industrial field, babbitt alloys prepared by casting often have defects. In order to reduce the defects in microstructure and properties of babbitt alloy, the microstructure and properties of Babbitt layer prepared on 20 steel substrate by traditional casting and cold metal transfer (CMT) surfacing are compared. In addition, laser remelting (LR) experiments were conducted on the Babbitt layer surface. The microstructure of casting, surfacing, and remelting Babbitt layers were, respectively, measured by metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectrometer, while hardness was tested for all three using the Vickers hardness (HV). The results show that the CMT surfacing layer microstructure is finer than that of casting layers and metallurgical bonding with steel substrate is stronger. Meanwhile, LR can refine grain to eliminate coarse microstructure without segregation and porosity. Different laser powers have different effects on the microstructure and properties of Babbitt metal. At laser powers of 300 W and 500 W the hardness of remelting Babbitt layer surfacing and casting samples reach the maximum of 35.16 HV_0.025 and 36.92 HV_0.025,_{respectively. This means that the LR effect on Babbitt metal microstructure and properties has great engineering application value and development prospect for plain bearing research.}