MicroRNA (miRNA) detection is of considerable significance in both disease diagnosis and in the study of miRNA function. The importance of miRNA itself is due to the complicated regulatory functions it plays in various life processes and its close relationship with some diseases. Traditional methods for miRNA detection do not meet the current demands, so various novel methods have been developed with a special focus on sensitivity and specificity. Herein, we summarize and discuss the newly developed miRNA detection methods.