Photonic crystal vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (PC VCSELs) are reviewed. The PC VCSEL shows single-transverse-mode continuous wave operation in the entire current range with side mode suppression ratio 35-40 dB. A simple 3-D plane wave expansion method is found to be very effective in analyzing the modal properties of the PC VCSELs. The PC VCSEL shows single-transverse-mode continuous wave operation in the entire current range with side mode suppression ratio 35-40 dB. A simple 3-D plane wave expansion method is found to be very effective in analyzing the modal properties of the PC VCSELs.