A conceptual design and statistical overview about passive direct methanol fuel cells that have been fabricated from 2002 to 2013, is performed [1-70] The major components of passive DMFCs such as: active area, type of Nafion, catalyst loading on the anode and cathode side, characteristics and designs of current collectors (CC), and also the optimum methanol concentration which resulted in the best performance are categorized and studied statistically and individually. Finally, the best combination for the design and fabrication of a reliable passive DMFC is recommended. Obtained results indicated that a MEA with 4 cm(2) active area, Nafion 117 and 4 mg/cm(2) Pt/Ru at the anode and 2 mg/cm(2) Pt black at the cathode (or 4 mg/cm(2) Pt/Ru at the anode - 4 mg/cm(2) Pt black at the cathode) as the catalyst loading, which is sandwiched between two stainless steel perforated current collectors that are coated by Pt (or Gold) could be a reliable design for a passive direct methanol single cell. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.