Boron-based anion receptors, widely used as biosensors, are currently being explored as electrolyte-additives in lithium ion batteries and metal-air batteries, towards the goal of realizing high voltage, high energy density batteries. The potential advantage of the boron-based anion receptors as electrolyte-additives is to improve the lithium ion or metal-air battery cell cycle performance, and increase lithium ion transference numbers and ionic conductivity. These anion receptors also have unique characteristics that facilitate in maintaining a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) at the electrode surface. In this comprehensive review, we have outlined the synthesis, computational studies, and applications of various classes of boron-based anion receptors in lithium ion and metal-air batteries. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.