A composite anode material of SnO2/graphite(GT)/carbon nanotube(CNT) for lithium-ion batteries was prepared by ball milling. It was observed that SnO2 particles were homogeneously embedded into the buffering matrix of graphite particles. This composite anode material showed an increased initial coulombic efficiencies of 56% in the first cycle, and after 25 charge–discharge cycles, a reversible capacity of 431 mAh/g was obtained, much higher than 282 mAh/g of SnO2/GT composite and 177 mAh/g of pure SnO2. The improvement in the electrochemical properties of the composite anode materials was mainly attributed to good electric conductivity of the CNT network and the excellent resiliency.