3D flower-like NiCo2O4 and NiCo2O4@MnO2 were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Scanning electron microscopy results illustrated that NiCo2O4 is formed by stacking nanosheets, and after reaction in KMnO4 solution, MnO2 were evenly coated on the surface of NiCo2O4 formed flower-like structure. The as-synthesized materials were evaluated as an anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, NiCo2O4 and NiCo2O4@MnO2 exhibited high specific capacities of 841.9 and 1 000 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles respectively. Moreover, NiCo2O4@MnO2 composites demonstrate good rate performance. These enhanced electrochemical properties could be attributed to the distinctive 3D flower-like structure, which increases the contact area between the electrolyte and electrode material to provide more active sites, and reduced volume effects during repeated insertion/extraction of lithium ions. The results suggest that the NiCo2O4@MnO2 composites could be promising LIBs anode materials.