With the development of phase change coolants and insulation technologies, it is expected that the cold storage incubators will be more economical, environmentally friendly, and durable, and have a positive impact on cold chain logistics and peoples lives. Firstly, three types of organic, inorganic, and composite phase-change coolants used in cold storage incubators, as well as new cold storage agents such as microcapsule cold storage agents and nano-coolant developed in recent years were reviewed. Then, from thermal insulation materials and temperature fields, in terms of uniformity, the progress of design optimization of cold storage incubator were expounded, and the feasibility of the new thermal insulation material structure and the influencing factors of the temperature field inside the tank were proposed. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly coolants, optimized insulation structure and temperature field uniformity are the focus of future research on cold storage tanks.