Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology for cervical neoplasia. Methods Such databases as PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CNKI and CBM were searched to collect the random control trials (RCTs) about evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology for cervical neoplasia published before June, 2010. According to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, two assessors independently screened the studies, extracted the data, assessed the quality and conducted meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.0 and Metadisc 1.4 softwares. Results A total of five RCTS were eligible. With the ASCUS regarded as the abnormal critical value, there were significant differences between liquid-based cytology and conventional cytology in specificity for CIN 3+ (RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.97 to 0.97, Plt;0.000 01) and CIN 2+ of high risk population (RR=1.01, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.01, Plt;0.000 01), but no significant differences were found in other outcomes. Conclusion Based on the current evidence of evidence-based medicine, the liquid-based cytology is of neither more specificity nor more sensitivity for detecting high grade CIN than the convention cytology in the regular screening program, but it seems to be of more specificity in high risk group.