The near- to mid-infrared wavelength range contains a wealth of astrophysical information and is crucial for studying cool stars, galaxy evolution, and small bodies in the Solar System. To overcome the limitations imposed by Earth′s atmosphere, such as absorption, scattering, and thermal noise, space-based infrared survey missions have become indispensable. Since the first all-sky infrared survey mission, Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), subsequent missions such as AKARI and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have accumulated massive datasets through wide-field observations, leading to breakthroughs in areas including brown dwarf census studies, active galactic nucleus identification, and measurements of asteroid physical properties. The recently launched Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) will carry out the first all-sky near-infrared spectroscopic survey and is expected to provide new insights into the large-scale structure of the Universe, the formation history of the Milky Way and external galaxies, the distribution of interstellar ices, as well as Solar System small bodies and exoplanetary systems. This article provides a systematic review of the development of near- to mid-infrared space surveys, with a particular focus on the scientific goals, achievements, and technical characteristics of the WISE and SPHEREx missions, and offers an outlook on future advances in this field.