A novel cathode material, NH4V3O8 nanorods with high discharge capacity and good rate capability are hydrothermally prepared in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The diameter of nanorods is about 30nm and the length is less than 1μm. In comparison with the ammonium trivanadate flakes prepared without surfactant, the nanorods are better suited as lithium inserting electrode material, with superior lithium ion insertion/deinsertion plateaus, higher discharge capacity and better cycling stability. The nanorods deliver a maximum specific discharge capacity of 327.1mAhg−1 at 30mAg−1. It also demonstrates good rate capability with the capacity of 207.6mAhg−1 at 300mAg−1, 201.2mAhg−1 at 450mAg−1, and 181.8mAhg−1 at 600mAg−1. Good cycling stability is also shown at 150mAg−1 for the nanorods, with no capacity loss over 60 cycles.