Aged LiMn2O4 cathode materials were collected from aqueous electrolyte lithium‐ion batteries after long‐term cycling. The aged LiMn2O4 cathode materials, which had variable states of charge, were recycled using two different “direct“ methods: solid‐state, and hydrothermal. X‐ray diffraction and electrochemical analysis revealed that the hydrothermal method yielded a recycled product with higher phase purity, electrochemical energy storage capacity. Additionally, the importance of the state of charge of the aged LiMn2O4 on the recycled product varied depending on the methodology used. While the recycled products from the solid‐state method were sensitive to the state of charge of the aged LiMn2O4, the state of charge of the aged LiMn2O4 doesn't have an obvious effect on the hydrothermally recycled product.