This review provides an in-depth analysis of nano- and micro-structured (NMS) scaffolds in advanced electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. It highlights recent advances, fundamental principles, superiorities, and design principles of NMS scaffolds, while also addressing ongoing challenges and promising perspectives. The review emphasizes the importance of NMS scaffolds in enhancing the performance of EES devices, particularly in supercapacitors (SCs), metal-ion batteries, and metal-air batteries (MABs). Key aspects discussed include the ultra-high specific surface area, rapid transportation kinetics, excellent mechanical robustness, and flexible design ability of NMS scaffolds. The review also categorizes NMS scaffolds into flexible, hard stochastic, and hard periodic types, detailing their preparation methods and characteristics. Finally, it showcases the application of NMS scaffolds in various EES devices, including SCs, AIBs, and MABs, and discusses the potential solutions to current challenges, design principles, and future research directions.This review provides an in-depth analysis of nano- and micro-structured (NMS) scaffolds in advanced electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. It highlights recent advances, fundamental principles, superiorities, and design principles of NMS scaffolds, while also addressing ongoing challenges and promising perspectives. The review emphasizes the importance of NMS scaffolds in enhancing the performance of EES devices, particularly in supercapacitors (SCs), metal-ion batteries, and metal-air batteries (MABs). Key aspects discussed include the ultra-high specific surface area, rapid transportation kinetics, excellent mechanical robustness, and flexible design ability of NMS scaffolds. The review also categorizes NMS scaffolds into flexible, hard stochastic, and hard periodic types, detailing their preparation methods and characteristics. Finally, it showcases the application of NMS scaffolds in various EES devices, including SCs, AIBs, and MABs, and discusses the potential solutions to current challenges, design principles, and future research directions.