Abstract: Negative electrode material is one of the important building blocks of lithium-ion batteries. Graphite is the current commercial anode material in lithium-ion batteries with a specific capacity of 365 mAh/g, which is close to its theoretical capacity (372 mAh/g). Thus, researchers began to study new anode material with high specific capacity, such as silicon, tin, transition metal oxides and so on. In order to improve the cycle life of lithium-ion battery, Li₄ T₅ O₁₂ named"zero strain negative electrode material"has been studied extensively. In this review, the authors introduced the working principles of lithium-ion battery. More attention would be paid to the improvements and problems of anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. At the end of this review, the prospects of anode materials were commented.