Lithium-ion batteries with advanced performances are required to meet the needs for next generation power batteries. In this work, a new lithium-ion battery has been successfully assembled based on high energy CuO nanorod array anode and high voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode. Electrochemical tests of the CuO nanorod array grown on copper substrate demonstrate that the CuO/Li half cell can deliver discharge capacities of 787 and 560 mAh g−1 at 0.1 and 10C rates. Different from the traditional prelithiation of transition metal oxides anodes, a CuO-limited full cell has been assembled directly by adjusting the positive/negative capacity ratio of 1.2:1, which could deliver a discharge capacity of 660 mAh g−1 with estimated energy density of about 217 Wh kg−1 at 0.1C rate. The CuO/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 full cell exhibits good cycle stability (with capacity retention of 84% at 0.5C over 100 cycles) and superior rate capability (about 240 mAh g−1 at a high rate of 10C), which are mainly resulted from CuO arrays directly constructed on copper substrate and the hierarchical structure of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 materials. The unique battery may cast new light upon constructing low cost, high energy, high rate capability and high safety full cells.