Lithium-manganese-rich cathode material Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 is prepared by combustion method, and then coated with nano-sized LiFePO4 and nano-sized Al2O3 particles via a wet chemical process. The as-prepared Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2, LiFePO4-coated Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 and Al2O3-coated Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy shows the agglomeration of the materials and their nanoparticle size ∼100 nm. The transmission electron microscopy confirms that LiFePO4 forms a rough mat-like surface and Al2O3 remain as islandic particles on the surface of the Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 material. The Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 coated with LiFePO4 and Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 coated with Al2O3 exhibits improved electrochemical performance. The initial discharge capacity is enhanced to 267 mAhg−1 after the LiFePO4 coating and 285 mAhg−1 after the Al2O3 coating compared to the as-prepared Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 material that has an initial discharge capacity of 243 mAhg−1. Galvanostatic charge–discharge tests at C/10 display longer activation of Li2MnO3 phase and higher capacity retention of 88% after 20 cycles for Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2-LiFePO4 compared to Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2-Al2O3 of 80% after 20 cycles and LMNC of 80% after 20 cycles. Meanwhile Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2-LiFePO4 also shows higher rate capability compared to Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2-Al2O3.