Electrochemical energy storage (EES) is playing a pivotal role in the global pursuit of a clean and sustainable energy future. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the state-of-the-art technology but future energy requirements demand higher energy densities and a more diverse battery landscape to meet a wide variety of applications. Unfortunately, many next-generation LIB chemistries and beyond-LIB technologies suffer from large first cycle irreversible capacity caused by active ion loss (AIL). The field of pre-lithiation/sodiation have recently emerged as researchers attempt to mitigate AIL and boost the energy density of next-generation LIBs and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this short review, we highlight recent advances in cathode prelithiation/sodiation using sacrificial additives and pre-lithiation/sodiation of cathode active materials (CAMs).