In this work, ZnO-ZnFe2O4 composite hollow microspheres are synthesized firstly through a facile chemical liquid method combined with the subsequent calcination processing. After the tight decoration of three dimensional graphene sheets under the assistance of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant, the as-harvested graphene encapsulated ZnO-ZnFe2O4 composite hollow microspheres, as an anode for lithium ion batteries, deliver a relative high reversible capacity of 625mA h g−1 after discharged/charged 300 times at 100mAg−1 and a decent specific capacity of 461mA h g−1 even at a large current density of 1000mAg−1. The modification of three dimensional graphene sheets and the well-dispersed ZnFe2O4, as well as special hollow configuration are responsible for the outstanding electrochemical properties of ZnO-based composite microspheres.