Nanostructure-based broadband absorbers are prominently attractive in various research fields such as nanomaterials,nanofabrication,nanophotonics and energy utilization.A highly efficient light absorption in wider wavelength ranges makes such absorbers useful in many solar energy harvesting applications.In this review,we present recent advances of broadband absorbers which absorb light by nanostructures.We start from the mechanism and design strategies of broadband absorbers based on different materials such as carbon-based,plasmonic or dielectric materials and then reviewed recent progress of solar energy thermal utilization dependent on the superior photo-heat conversion capacity of broadband absorbers which may significantly influence the future development of solar energy utilization,seawater purification and photoelectronic device design.