, M=Mn, NMC; M=Al, NCA)} are one of the most promising cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, in the traditional electrolyte system, they will undergo dramatic structural changes and interface side reactions at high potential and high temperature, which will bring great challenges to their practical application, especially for their cycle life and safety. Developing appropriate electrolyte additive is one of the most economical and effective methods to improve the electrochemical performance of LIBs. Based on the intrinsic structure of material, electrolyte additives used for NMC and NCA ternary cathode and their reaction mechanism in the past 5 years are reviewed in this paper, which include vinylene carbonate (VC), fluoro-compounds, new lithium salts, P-based, B-based, S-based, nitrile, others and combinative additives. Among them, VC becomes a kind of universal additive, which can improve the efficiency and cycle life at low voltage and normal temperature. Fluoro-compounds have been developed from mono substituted such as Fluorinated ethylene carbonate (FEC) to multi-fluorine substituted, which can improve the stability of electrode/electrolyte interface under high voltage. New lithium salt additives are mainly used to improve the film forming performance under high voltage and high temperature, such as Lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), Lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP). P-contained additives [such as Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSPi)] are mainly to improve the stability of anode-electrolyte interface, and it has obvious synergistic effect when they combined with additives such as VC. B-contained additives are mainly used to improve the dissociation degree and stability of lithium salt, such as Tris(trimethylsilyl)borate (TMSB). S-contained additives are mainly used to improve the ionic conductivity and stability of anode SEI film, such as Prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES). Nitriles are benefited from the strong electron withdrawing effect of -CN, which can improve the stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface at high voltage. Other types of additives are some heterocyclic compounds having film forming ability and various silanes which can eliminate HF and H 2 O. Combinative additives are developed from VC based composite to PES and PBF (pyridine boron trifluoride) system, which can endure even harsher conditions.