The layered Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 was separately synthesized by pretreatment process of ball mill method and solution phase route, using [Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]3O4 and lithium hydroxide as raw materials. The physical and electrochemical behaviors of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and electrochemical charge/discharge cycling tests. The results show that the difference in pretreatment process results in the difference in compound Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 structure, morphology and the electrochemical characteristics. The Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 prepared by solution phase route maintains the uniform spherical morphology of the [Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]3O4, and it exhibits a higher capacity retention and better rate capability than that prepared by ball mill method. The initial discharge capacity of this sample reaches 178 mA-h/g and the capacity retention after 50 cycles is 98.7% at a current density of 20 mA/g. Moreover, it delivers high discharge capacity of 135 mA-h/g at a current density of 1 000 mA/g.