Fine-sized Li–Co–Mn–O cathode particles with various ratios of cobalt and manganese components were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method using the nano-sized precursor particles. The nano-sized precursor particles of cobalt and manganese components were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The LiCo1−x Mn x O2 (0.1≤ x ≤0.3) particles had finer size than that of the pure LiCoO2 particles. Manganese component disturbed the growth of the LiCo1−x Mn x O2 cathode particles prepared by solid-state reaction method. The initial discharge capacities of the layered LiCo1−x Mn x O2 (0≤ x ≤0.3) cathode particles decreased from 144 to 136mAhg−1 when the ratios of Co/Mn components were changed from 1/0 to 0.7/0.3. The mean sizes of the spinel LiMn2−y Co y O4 (0≤ y ≤0.2) cathode particles decreased from 650 to 460nm when the ratios of Mn/Co components were changed from 2/0 to 1.8/0.2. The initial discharge capacities of the LiMn2−y Co y O4 (0≤ y ≤0.2) cathode particles decreased from 119 to 86mAhg−1 when the ratios of Mn/Co components were changed from 2/0 to 1.8/0.2.