By using multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), a well-dispersed composite of Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT (2.5<x<3.0) is prepared by a simple solution route. Morphology and structure observations show that Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT is composed of Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O particles with particle size of 50–400nm embedded in the three-dimensional conductive network of MWCNT. The existence of MWCNT not only inhibits the agglomeration of primary Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O blocks into bigger secondary particles but also improves the electronic conductivity of Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O. As a result, Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT reveals a stable and conductive structure for lithium storage. Charge/discharge results display that Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT delivers a lower initial discharge capacity of 2177.1 mAh g−1 at a current density of 50mAg−1 than that of pure Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O (2383.2mAhg−1.). However, Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT maintains a higher reversible lithium storage capacity of 980.2 mAh g−1 with a higher capacity retention of 83.6% after 30 cycles compared to pure Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O (264.6 mAh g−1, 47.1%). Contributed to the introduction of MWCNT, Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT also shows outstanding rate performance. It can provide the reversible lithium storage capacities of 943.4, 813.5, 702.9 and 642.0mAhg−1 at 100, 150, 200 and 250mAg−1, respectively. Therefore, Cu(NO3)2 ·xH2O/MWCNT may be a promising lithium storage material.