This review focuses on the rational design of high-performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), addressing the challenges of low specific capacity, rapid capacity degradation, and slow ion diffusion. The authors highlight recent advancements in anode materials with enhanced sodium storage performance and controlled morphologies, emphasizing the importance of improving specific capacity. The review is divided into several sections, including an introduction that discusses the background and significance of SIBs, the classification and strategies for improving electrochemical performance of anode materials, and specific examples of organic, alloy-type, carbon-based, and chalcogen-based materials. The organic materials section details the use of organic polymers and compounds, such as carboxylic acid-based materials and two-dimensional polyimide nanosheets, which offer high capacity, flexibility, and tunable redox performance. The review also explores efficient modification strategies to address the inherent drawbacks of these materials, such as low initial coulombic efficiency, volume expansion, and insufficient sodium storage mechanisms. Finally, the main challenges and future trends in the application of current anode materials for SIBs are discussed.This review focuses on the rational design of high-performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), addressing the challenges of low specific capacity, rapid capacity degradation, and slow ion diffusion. The authors highlight recent advancements in anode materials with enhanced sodium storage performance and controlled morphologies, emphasizing the importance of improving specific capacity. The review is divided into several sections, including an introduction that discusses the background and significance of SIBs, the classification and strategies for improving electrochemical performance of anode materials, and specific examples of organic, alloy-type, carbon-based, and chalcogen-based materials. The organic materials section details the use of organic polymers and compounds, such as carboxylic acid-based materials and two-dimensional polyimide nanosheets, which offer high capacity, flexibility, and tunable redox performance. The review also explores efficient modification strategies to address the inherent drawbacks of these materials, such as low initial coulombic efficiency, volume expansion, and insufficient sodium storage mechanisms. Finally, the main challenges and future trends in the application of current anode materials for SIBs are discussed.