Abstract High-Q nanophotonic devices hold great importance in both fundamental research and engineering applications. Their ability to provide high spectral resolution and enhanced light-matter interactions makes them promising in various fields such as sensing, filters, lasing, nonlinear optics, photodetection, coherent thermal emission, and laser stealth. While Q-factors as large as 109 have been achieved experimentally in on-chip microresonators, these modes are excited through near-field coupling of optical fibers. Exciting high-Q modes via free-space light presents a significant challenge primarily due to the larger fabrication area and more lossy channels associated with free-space nanophotonic devices. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods employed to achieve high-Q modes, highlights recent research progress and applications, and discusses the existing challenges as well as the prospects in the field of free-space high-Q nanophotonics.