Carbon nanotube-encapsulated SnO2 (SnO2@CNT) core–shell composite anode materials are prepared by chemical activation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and wet chemical filling. The results of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements indicate that SnO2 is filled into the interior hollow core of CNTs and exists as small nanoparticles with diameter of about 6nm. The SnO2@CNT composites exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance at various current densities when used as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. At 0.2mAcm−2 (0.1C), the sample containing wt. 65% of SnO2 displays a reversible specific capacity of 829.5mAhg−1 and maintains 627.8mAhg−1 after 50 cycles. When the current density is 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0mAcm−2 (about 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0C), the composite electrode still exhibits capacity retention of 563, 507 and 380mAhg−1, respectively. The capacity retention of our SnO2@CNT composites is much higher than previously reported values for a SnO2/CNT composite with the same filling yield. The excellent lithium storage and rate capacity performance of SnO2@CNT core–shell composites make it a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.