Manganese-based catalysts have shown broad application prospects in the field of catalytic combustion of VOCs as a kind of non-noble metal materials with high catalytic activity, strong stability and low cost. However, there are also some shortcomings about the material, such as weak surface electron transfer ability and low specific surface area. Series of measures are applied in order to overcome these limitations, such as doping modification. In this paper, the recent advances in preparation methods, chemical compositions, morphology and structure of manganese-based catalysts are reviewed from four aspects: single manganese oxide, noble metal doping, supports and perovskite-type catalysts. The future research focus should be the monolith and industrialization of manganese-based catalysts.