Among various Li-ion battery (LIB) anodes, the binary Mn-based transition metal oxides (AMn2O4, A = Zn, Co, Ni, etc.) have bee proven to be the ideal candidates for LIBs. This review mainly introduced their energy storage mechanism, synthetic methods and relationship between the structure and Li-storage properties, based on three kinds of anode materials of ZnMn2O4, CoMn2O4 and NiMn2O4. The existing problems of each material, and corresponding settlements were presented to facilitate its promotion in the LIB market.