SnO 2 nano-spheres/graphene composite was fabricated via a simple one-step hydrothermal method with graphene oxide and SnCl 4 ·5H 2 O as the precursors. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and surface area measurement. It is shown that fine SnO 2 nano-spheres with an average size of 50–100nm could be homogeneously deposited on graphene nano-sheets layer by layer. The structural feature enabled SnO 2 nano-spheres/graphene hybird as an excellent anode material in lithium ion battery. The composite possesses 1306mAhg −1 of initial discharge capacity and good capacity retention of 594mAhg −1 up to the 50th cycle at a current density of 100mAg −1 . These results indicate that the composite is a promising anode material in high-performance lithium ion batteries.