To improve the cycling stability and rate performance of SnO2–based anode materials applied in lithium ions batteries (LIBs), SnO2/graphene oxide (SnO2/GO) composite was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The SnO2/GO composite material exhibits much more excellent lithium ions storage capacity and cycling stability. The reversible capacity is 612.2 mAhg−1 with the coulombic efficiency of 98.8%, after 100 cycles. Especially, at a high discharge-charge current density (1000 mAg−1), the SnO2/GO composite showed an outstanding structure stability and rate performance (204.2 mAhg−1). Such excellent performance could be attributed to the existence of GO. With the assistance of GO, the composite material achieves more stable structure and high electron conductivity.