Abstract: The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising way to produce hydrogen, and the use of non-precious metals with an excellent electrochemical performance is vital for this. Carbon-based transition metal catalysts have high activity and stability, which are important in reducing the cost of hydrogen production and promoting the development of the hydrogen production industry. However, there is a lack of discussion regarding the effect of carbon components on the performance of these electrocatalysts. This review of the literature discusses the choice of the carbon components in these catalysts and their impact on catalytic performance, including electronic structure control by heteroatom doping, morphology adjustment, and the influence of self-supporting materials. It not only analyzes the progress in HER, but also provides guidance for synthesizing high-performance carbon-based transition metal catalysts.