Lithium and sodium metal batteries (LMBs, SMBs) with high theoretical capacities and high energy densities have attracted tremendous attention as a new class of energy storage devices. However, these metal batteries usually suffer from uneven metal plating/stripping behavior, continuous side reactions between lithium/sodium metal and electrolyte as well as uncontrollable dendrite growth, seriously hampering their practical applications. To address the abovementioned issues, multi-level strategies have been explored. Studies reveal a few potential solutions: namely, to reduce the local current density of anodes, to form flexible solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) films, to increase the number of metal ion transfer paths, and to improve the shear modulus of electrolytes. This review is aimed to summarize recent advances in rational design of dendrite-free LMBs and SMBs by means of modulation of metal anodes, optimization of electrolytes and modification of separators. The original design concepts, synthesis approaches and their effects on electrochemical performance of metal batteries are discussed. The challenges encountered for future development of dendrite-free LMBs and SMBs are proposed. It is hoped that this review will provide new insights into their technological development and real-world applications.

具有高理论容量和高能量密度的锂和钠金属电池（LMB，SMB）作为一类新型的能量存储设备引起了极大的关注。然而，这些金属电池通常遭受不均匀的金属镀覆/剥离行为，锂/钠金属与电解质之间的连续副反应以及不可控的枝晶生长，从而严重地妨碍了其实际应用。为了解决上述问题，已经探索了多级策略。研究表明了一些潜在的解决方案：即降低阳极的局部电流密度，形成柔性的固体电解质界面（SEI）膜，增加金属离子传输路径的数量以及提高电解质的剪切模量。这篇综述旨在总结通过调制金属阳极，优化电解质和改进隔板，在无枝晶LMB和SMB合理设计方面的最新进展。讨论了原始设计概念，合成方法及其对金属电池电化学性能的影响。提出了未来无树突状LMB和SMB的发展所面临的挑战。希望这次审查将为他们的技术发展和实际应用提供新的见解。提出了未来无树突状LMB和SMB的发展所面临的挑战。希望这次审查将为他们的技术发展和实际应用提供新的见解。提出了未来无树突状LMB和SMB的发展所面临的挑战。希望这次审查将为他们的技术发展和实际应用提供新的见解。