Suspended nanoparticles inside the nanofluids can modify the characteristics of heated surfaces and the physical properties of the base liquids, offering a great opportunity to optimize boiling heat transfer. This paper reviews the mechanisms of nanoparticle deposition and the effects induced by deposited nanoparticles on surface roughness, force balance at the triple line, surface wettability, active nucleation site density, receding and advancing contact angles, boiling heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux. Both enhancement and deterioration effects on boiling heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux have been discussed. Most of the existing experimental data confirms the enhancement of critical heat flux using alumina nanofluid, however there is no consistency about its boiling heat transfer coefficient. (C) 2013 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier BAT. All rights reserved.