Spinel LiMn1.95M0.05O4 (M: Al, Co, Fe, Ni, or Y) is prepared by a combustion synthesis, which is a simple, rapid and cost-effective process for obtaining oxide powders. The spinel is obtained by combustion of lithium hydroxide, manganese nitrate, M-nitrates, and urea at about 280°C for 1min. Well-defined spinel LiMn1.95M0.05O4 was obtained by further heat-treatment at 800°C for 10h. The synthesized LiMn1.95M0.05O4 shows lower initial capacities, viz. 90–132mAh/g than undoped LiMn2O4. The latter has an initial capacity of 146mAh/g which fades to 100mAh/g with cycling. On the other hand, LiMn1.95Co0.05O4, LiMn1.95Ni0.05O4, and LiMn1.95Y0.05O4 display better cycleability than LiMn2O4.