SnO2@C@MnO2 hierarchical hollow hybrid nanospheres have been obtained by coating the MnO2 nanosheet-based hierarchical shell on SnO2@C hollow nanospheres via a redox method. The hierarchical hollow hybrid nanospheres are composed of the SnO2 internal layer with hollow nanostructures, the carbon interlayer and the MnO2 hierarchical nanostructured external layer built from two dimensional nanosheets. SnO2@C@MnO2 nanomaterials exhibit a large initial discharge capacity (1378 mAhg−1), extraordinary cyclic stability (644.5 mAhg−1 after 200 cycles) and rate capability as Li-ion battery anodes. The excellent properties may benefit from the rational design of hierarchical hollow hybrid nanostructures and the synergistic effects between the three layers of SnO2, carbon and MnO2.