The effective thermal conductivity of metal hydride beds is a crucial parameter for metal hydride reactor design. In this review, methods and principles for the measurement of the effective thermal conductivity of metal hydride beds are discussed, including steady-state techniques (the radial heat flow, comparative cut bar, guarded heat flow meter, and guarded hot plate methods) and transient techniques (the hot-wire, thermal probe, transient plane source, and laser flash methods). Reports of effective thermal conductivity measurements for characterizing metal hydride beds have been reviewed, including the measurement methods, material composition, measurement results, temperature, and gas pressure. The advantages, disadvantages, and applications of each measurement method have been presented, and an assessment regarding different techniques of measurement has been conducted. Laser flash and transient plane source are found to be the most frequently used methods, and have been increasingly applied in recent years. Finally, a brief discussion of recommended future development of effective thermal conductivity measurement is presented. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.