Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have shown great potential in optoelectronic applications. Very recently, CQDs have attracted much attention in white-emitting diodes (WLEDs) for lighting due to their characteristic broad emission, tunable fluorescence emission and high thermal stability. This mini review updates the latest research in the design of high-performance WLEDs with different correlated color temperatures by tuning the red component using red emissive CQDs and single-component white emissive CQDs (SCWE-CQDs). The prospects for the development of CQD based WLEDs with higher efficiency and color quality will be discussed.