Abstract: The cycling stability of stress-driven superelasticity of shape memory alloys is a key issue affecting the efficiency and stability of elastocaloric cooling. Controlling the phase transformation hysteresis of superelastic alloys based on gradient structure design strategy is an effective way to achieve efficient and stable elastocaloric cooling. Recent research advances show that by introducing a suitable gradient structure, the hysteresis loss of the superelastic alloy can be regulated,thereby improving the material coefficient of performance. The latest progress in grain-size gradient structure and chemical gradient structure designs for Ni Ti based alloys was reviewced. The characteristics of gradient structure layer, as well as the relationship between gradient structure and alloy superelasticity were analyzed. Finally, potential applications of the two kinds of gradient-structured design strategies were highlighted.