Heterostructured ZnFe 2 O 4 –graphene nanocomposites are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared ZnFe 2 O 4 –graphene nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis and galvanostatic charge and discharge measurements. Compared with the pure ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, the ZnFe 2 O 4 –graphene nanocomposites exhibit much larger reversible capacity up to 980 mAh g −1 , greatly improved cycling stability, and excellent rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance of the ZnFe 2 O 4 –graphene nanocomposites could be attributed to the synergetic effect between the conducting graphene nanosheets and the ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles.