A ceramic laser is one using transparent ceramic materials as its gain media. Compared with single crystals, transparent ceramics have the advantages such as short preparation cycle and low sintering temperature. They possess good optical uniformity under high doping concentration of active ions and are easily developed into various large size composite structures. In recent years, ceramic lasers have made a rapid progress in high power as well as ultra-short and ultra-strong laser operation, and have induced a series of achievements. In this paper, the development progress of ceramic lasers is reviewed and the latest developments of transparent ceramics in high power, ultra-short pulsed laser operation and laser output with special wavelengths are summarized. In addition, the development trend of novel laser materials based on the advantages of ceramic preparation is also prospected.