An electrochromic (EC) device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode separated by an electrolyte. The first electrode comprises an electrochromic (EC) layer comprising a compound having the formula AiBjOk, where A comprises one or more elements selected from a group consisting of W, Mn, Mo, Co, Ni, Cs, and Zn, where B is different than A and comprises one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Mo, Ti, Nb, and V, where i and j have values that are greater than 0, and where k is a stoichiometric value that balances the formula. A is selected such that the EC layer has an improved optical contrast relative to BjOk and B is selected such that the EC layer has an improved specific charge capacity relative to AiOk.