Due to competitive theoretical capacity, Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ has been deemed as an efficient Li-ion battery anode material. Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ powder was prepared by polyacrylamide gel method using bismuth nitrate and manganese acetate as raw materials. The effects of preparation conditions on the phase, morphology and electrochemical cycling performance of powder were investigated. Results showed that the spheroid Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ powder with narrow size distribution was successfully prepared under the conditions of molar ratio of acrylamide to total metal ions of 8 : 1, the glucose concentrations of 1.11 mol/L and heat treatment temperature of 873 K. Lithium ion batteries with as-prepared Bi₂Mn₄O₁₀ as anode material, acquired excellent cycle and rate performances. Its discharge specific capacity is 496.8 mAh/g at 0.2C (1C=800 mA/g) rate after 50 cycles, corresponding to a high capacity of 76.9%. Even at 3C rate, a superior rate capacity of 232 mAh/g is retained.