The invention belongs to the technical field of gas sensor preparation, and discloses an acetone sensor, a preparation method and an acetone detection method. Cobalt nitrate is used as a metal salt, an ethanol/water mixed solution is used as a solvent, ammonium fluoride is used as a surfactant, and an okra-shaped Co3O4 material is successfully prepared through a one-step chemical hydrothermal method; and materials are coated according to a side-heating device process, assembling and welding are carried out to finish the preparation of the okra-shaped Co3O4 sensor. The Co3O4 gas sensitive material is successfully synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method. The synthesis method is simple and low in cost. According to the invention, a one-step hydrothermal method is adopted, ammonium fluoride is used as a structure-directing agent, the composition of the solvent is changed, the construction of a hierarchical structure is successfully achieved, the synthesis method is simple, and the cost is low. The acetone sensor has excellent gas sensitivity, the sensitivity is 35.2, the optimal working temperature is 150 DEG C, and effective detection of acetone in a low-temperature and high-humidity environment is achieved.