The invention relates to a safety return valve detecting device and method. An air compressor of the device is connected with a surge tank inlet, a surge tank outlet is divided into two branches, one branch is connected with a first pressure regulating valve, the other branch is connected with a second pressure regulating valve, the first pressure regulating valve is connected to a first pressure tank through a first switch valve, the second pressure regulating valve is connected with a detected valve inlet connecting pipe through a first electric valve, and a detected valve outlet connecting pipe is connected to a second electric valve, a flow meter, a back pressure valve, a fourth switch valve and a second pressure tank. The two ends of a differential gage are connected to a connecting pipeline of the first pressure regulating valve and the first switch valve and a pressure pipeline of the flow meter and the back pressure valve. Three branch circuits are arranged on the detected valve inlet connecting pipe, the first circuit is connected with a pressure testing pump through a second solenoid valve, the second circuit is connected to the first pressure tank through a third electric valve, a one-way valve and a fifth switch valve and the third circuit is provided with a bypass valve used for releasing pressure. The safety return valve detecting device and method can improve the testing precision of the safety return valve, and is simple in structure, easy to operate and good in use effect.