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Designing multifunctional cathode materials is essential to address the critical issues of poor cycle stability and sluggish reaction kinetics in the aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, the spinel-type bimetallic MnCo 2 O 4 with a porous, layered, irregular cubic structure was synthesized using hydrothermal method, which was employed as a cathode material for high performance AZIBs. The design strategy involving bimetallic oxides offers more electrochemically active sites than monometallic oxides. Simultaneously, the unique porous structure of MnCo 2 O 4 facilitates faster ions and electrons transport, which alleviates the problems of volume expansion and structural collapse that occurring in the cathode material during cycling. As a result, the MnCo 2 O 4 electrode exhibits superior zinc storage performance with a high reversible specific capacity of 332.1 mAh g−1 and excellent cycle stability after 65 cycles at a current density of 0.3 A g−1. [Display omitted] • Irregular bimetallic MnCo 2 O 4 cubic structure with porous layered stacking were obtained by hydrothermal method. • MnCo 2 O 4 electrodes have both exceptional specific capacity and excellent cycling stability. • The Zn storage mechanism of MnCo 2 O 4 materials belongs to the H+/Zn2+ co-embedding/de-embedding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]