Nano-silver material is one of the most promising antimicrobial regents and has been widely used in many fields for its high efficiency and broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects with low microbial drug tolerance. However, the antimicrobial mechanism of nano-silver material was not clear. Consequently, in the study, we reviewed the papers on antimicrobial mechanism and application of nano-silver material and provide concerns on the environmental effects for better utilization of the nano-silver material.