Spinel LiMn 2 O 4 powders with small and uniformly sized particle were successfully synthesized by microwave-induced combustion, using lithium nitrate, manganese nitrate, and urea as the staring materials. LiMn 2 O 4 powders were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). LiMn 2 O 4 samples were used as cathode materials for lithium-ion battery, whose discharge capacity and electrochemical characteristic properties in terms of cycle performance were also discussed. The results revealed that the Li/LiMn 2 O 4 cell synthesized by microwave-induced combustion had a high initial capacity and much better reversibility than one formed in a solid-state reaction.