Energy consumption has drastically increased to meet the growing demand of domestic and industrial usage needs. This has led to a significant rise in the contribution of renewable energy sources, owing to their eco-friendly nature. Solar photovoltaic (PV)-based power generation plays an important role and is growing rapidly. However, it faces challenges due to its inherently low output voltage and non-linear characteristics, which limit its efficiency and performance. These limitations necessitate the use of DC–DC converters to optimize voltage levels and ensure efficient energy transfer, making them a crucial component in PV systems. Among them, non-isolated converters were preferred due to their compact size and their ability to effectively control the output of solar PV. This article critically reviews various non-isolated DC–DC converters, such as conventional, hybrid, and high-gain converters, and analyzes their performance for optimal selection. A thorough study, including mathematical modeling and performance validation through simulation, is presented in detail. The critical discussion and comparison of the various converters will significantly help design engineers and researchers in selecting the appropriate converter for solar PV applications.