In this study, a series of inverse spinel M2SnO4 (M=Mg, Mn, Co) oxides were produced and tested to probe the effect the oxide matrix has on the electrochemical performance of tin oxides. Generally, these new oxides show similar behaviour to SnO2 with the formation of a more complicated mixed metal oxide matrix affecting the potentials of tin reduction and lithium insertion. A reasonable correlation is observed between the potential of the initial reduction of the spinel oxide to metallic tin and the enthalpy of formation of the metal oxide (MO). Amongst the spinels, Mn2SnO4 exhibits the best reversibility and Mg2SnO4 the worst.