In the era of smart manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and precision agriculture, the demand for real-time, high-precision substance analysis—especially with requirements for axial resolution (depth detection) and background noise suppression—is growing exponentially. Point spectral confocal sensors—compact, efficient, and high-precision devices that integrate confocal optics with spectral technology—have emerged as core tools to meet this demand. Unlike traditional spectral instruments (e.g., benchtop spectrometers) requiring large volumes or basic point spectral sensors lacking depth discrimination, point spectral confocal sensors leverage confocal design to filter out-of-focus light while capturing spectral information. This unique combination enables them to convert invisible optical signals into both "chemical fingerprints" of substances and "spatial position data," bridging high-precision optical detection and multi-dimensional smart sensing. This article deciphers their working principles, explores the interdisciplinary synergy behind them, and highlights their role in advanced sensing scenarios.