The lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology is getting particular attention because of its effectiveness in small-scale-electronic products such as watches, calculators, torchlights, or mobile phones through to large-scale power systems such as automobiles, trains, ships, submarines, or airplanes. LIBs are widely applied due to their advantages which make them unique. They exhibit greater energy density than other types of rechargeable batteries. LIBs are lightweight with a limited rate of charge loss, a greater number of charge/discharge cycles, no complete discharge is needed, and LIBs function at a higher voltage than other rechargeable batteries. However, LIB is suffering from many disadvantages such as the high risk of bursting, high cost compared to other batteries, battery deterioration after a complete discharge, high sensitivity to high temperatures (fast degradation when exposed to heat), poor rate of capability, very limited lifespan (2-3 years) and not available in standard cells sizes like others. Basic science research combining solid-state chemistry and physics has been at the heart of this endeavor, particularly throughout the 1970s and 1980s. With the awarding of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to the creation of lithium-ion batteries, it is instructive to examine the evolution of cathode chemistry that enabled modern lithium-ion technology. A good choice of cathode materials leads to enhanced performance in LIBs. This work involves a deep comprehension of Li-ion transport, as well as the mechanism of charge and discharge in LIBs. The paper provides a fundamental study on layered, spinel, and olivine-based cathode materials and their benefit for LIBs. The study also gives details about optimization techniques needed to improve the cathode performances. The advantages and disadvantages of these prominent cathode materialsfor rechargeable LIBsare also discussed to emphasize the importance of choosing and/or optimizing the right cathode materials to lead to enhanced LIB performance.