High-performance lithium ion battery (LIB) featured with excellent rate properties and cycling stability is highly required in various application fields. However, at this point in time, its practicality is very challenging due to the kinetic barrier related to ineffective electron and Li ion transfer in the batteries. Therefore, design of the electrode structure with higher storage and rate performances is very desirable. In this paper, we have developed a three-dimensional (3D) multilayered graphene-metal oxide hybrid nanostructure using a simple dip-coating method. A high porosity nickel foam is used both as a current collector and template for the fabrication of 3D structured electrodes. Graphene act both as buffer layers, preventing the aggregation of metal oxides, and provide electron pathways for fast electron transfer. Because of their unique features, the electrodes exhibit superior electrochemical performances as anodes for LIBs (graphene-Mn3O4@nickel foam, similar to 1000 mA h g(-1) after 50 cycles; graphene-Fe3O4@nickel foam, similar to 1200 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1)). The enhancement of the electrochemical properties can be attributed to the fact that the 3D multilayered structure can accommodate the volume expansion of metal oxides and maintain the electrical and structural integrities. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.