In recent years, civil engineering has increasingly embraced communication tools for automation, with sensors playing a pivotal role, especially in structural health monitoring (SHM). These sensors enable precise data acquisition, measuring parameters like force, displacement, and temperature and transmit data for timely interventions to prevent failures. This approach reduces reliance on manual inspections, offering more accurate outcomes. This review explores various sensor technologies in SHM, such as piezoelectric, fibre optic, force, MEMS devices, GPS, LVDT, electromechanical impedance techniques, Doppler effect, and piezoceramic sensors, focusing on advancements from 2019 to 2024. A bibliometric analysis of 1468 research articles from WOS and Scopus databases shows a significant increase in publications, from 15 in 2019 to 359 in 2023 and 52 in 2024 (and still counting). This analysis identifies emerging trends and applications in smart sensor integration in civil and structural health monitoring, enhancing safety and efficiency in infrastructure management. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.