In order to improve the lubrication of water-based drilling fluid，solve the high friction of long horizontal section of horizontal wells and promote the sustainable development of drilling technology for horizontal well，a great number of researches about eco-friendly lubricant with high performance had been conducted at home and abroad. In this paper，the domestic and international research progress of lubricant for water-based drilling fluid was reviewed including alcohol ether，alkyl glycoside， modified vegetable oil，compound lubricant，inert solid，encapsulated lubricant and extreme-pressure lubricant. The advantages and disadvantages of these lubricants were compared. Finally，the development directions of lubricant for water-based drilling fluid were proposed.