Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted signifcant attention due to their unique chemical and physical characteristics. The specific structures and large surface area of 2D materials lead to great potentials in sensing applications with the advantages of high sensitivity, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness. As a result, a great variety of devices have been developed based on 2D materials and utilized as electronic, chemical, biological, and even multifunctional sensors. Importantly, the high performance of these sensors is largely attributed to the synthetic strategies of high-quality 2D materials, where the exfoliation in the liquid phase is one of the most efficient methods. In this review, we firstly summarize the recent progress on the solution methods for the synthesis of high-quality graphene as well as non-carbon 2D materials. Then the main focus of this review article is shifted to the transistor-type sensors, especially the biosensors and chemical sensors, on the basis of these solution-processed 2D materials. In addition, the remaining challenges in this research field are discussed, and possible future directions of development are also proposed from the aspects of materials, processing, and devices.