Abstract: In recent years, SLM additive manufacturing has provided a brand-new approach for the production of high-performance and complex aluminum alloy components. The rapid solidification conditions of SLM additive manufacturing process provide important conditions for the development of novel aluminum alloys. Meanwhile, the epitaxial growth and the high thermal stress during the SLM additive manufacturing process lead to severe cracking problems in mature high-performance aluminum alloy grades. From the perspectives of the development of dedicated alloys tailored to the characteristics of SLM additive manufacturing technology and the development of modified alloys based on mature high-performance alloy grades, this review summarized the current research and research progress of high-strength and high-toughness, high-strength and heat-resistant, as well as high-thermal-conductivity and medium-high-strength aluminum alloys for SLM additive manufacturing. On this basis, the technical approaches to accelerate the development and further expand its engineering application scope in the future were prospected.