<p>Lattice structures, composed of interconnected elements forming rigid framework, popular for augmenting strength:weight ratio is extensively utilized in applications necessitating minimal material usance with maximum load-bearing and energy-absorption capabilities. Hybrid structures, incorporating bio-inspired architectures such as honeycomb or trabecular bone with truss lattices, exhibit augmented mechanical properties due to their optimized design for load distribution and structural efficiency. The significant advancement in manufacturing such structures involving complexity can be accredited to the ingress of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques which enables the precise replication of intricate geometries and topologies that are often unachievable through conventional manufacturing methods. This technology also allows for material optimization, leading to improved performance characteristics and resource efficiency. The layer-by-layer construction inherent to AM techniques like selective laser sintering and fused deposition modeling facilitates fabrication of customized, high-fidelity structures of lattice. This review offers scrupulous anatomy of design and mechanical properties among lattice structures, with strong emphasis on their comparison to bio-inspired materials. It examines the range of materials utilized in the fabrication of these structures, including metals, polymers, and composite materials. Furthermore, review explores diverse applications of lattice structures in engineering sectors, emphasizing their role in enhancing performance, reducing weight, and achieving superior mechanical properties.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>