Laser damage resistance of different kinds of engineering ceramics under nanosecond laser irradiation were studied and compared with those of stainless steel and aluminum alloy. The results show that the laser damage characteristics of different materials are different. The damage threshold of alumina ceramics is the highest, while the damage threshold of silicon nitride ceramics is lowest. Compared with metal materials, the damage thresholds of engineering ceramics are higher than those of stainless steel and aluminum alloy. Due to the difference of the melting point and thermal conductivity, different kinds of ceramic material have different damage morphologies. The difference of laser damage threshold of different materials was analyzed theoretically; the absorption coefficient of ceramic materials is less than metals. The absorption coefficient have an effect on the energy deposition area and heat diffusion rate influencing the evolution process of the temperature, which ultimately affect the laser damage threshold value and damage characteristics of materials.The experimental results provide guidance for the selection of mechanical support materials for high power laser devices.