The electrodeposited nickel nanocone-arrays without any template are introduced to Sn-based anode materials as current collector for lithium ion battery. Nickel nanocone-arrays are tightly wedged in the electrodeposited Sn film, and thereby enhance the interfacial strength between active materials and substrate. Furthermore, annealing is conducted to form Sn–Ni alloy, in which Ni renders an inactive matrix to buffer volume change during cyclic lithiation/delithiation. The nanocone-arrays supported Sn–Ni alloy anode shows satisfactory Li+ storage properties with the first reversible capacity of 807mAhg−1. The charge capacity for the 50th cycle is 678mAhg−1, delivering good retention rate of 99.6% per cycle. These improved performances of nickel nanocone-arrays supported Sn–Ni alloy anodes indicate the potential of their application as electrode materials for high performance energy storage.