<p>Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have become the forefront of heterogeneous catalysis research due to their maximum atomic utilization rate, unique electronic structure, and excellent performance in various reactions. However, there are many challenges in the field of SACs preparation that need to be addressed. Over the past decade, leveraging our expertise in nanomaterial synthesis, our group has been exploring controllable preparation methods for SACs. We have pioneered several representative preparation strategies, establishing a robust top-down paradigm. Based on these synthetic strategies, systematic SACs have been successfully built. This review briefly introduces the unique advantages and applications of SACs, analyzes the differences between the “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches, and comprehensively summarizes the preparation strategies of top-down SACs over the past decade. The future perspectives of top-down synthesis methods for SACs are outlined, emphasizing the creation of novel top-down techniques, the integration of multi-method combinations, and the exploration of their applications. This review aims to provide valuable insights to researchers in the field, thereby promoting the advancement and practical application of top-down synthesis strategies.</p>