The SnO2 anode materials with various nanoparticle sizes were successfully synthesized to study their size effects on lithium storage performance. The compositions, structures, particle sizes and morphologies of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. It was confirmed that the obtained nanomaterials via a facile reflux approach show smaller size than that of hydrothermal method. Using cyclic voltammograms, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatical charge/discharge testing, the SnO2 anodes with different nanoparticle sizes exhibit various electrochemical performance with lithium, originating from the enormous volume changes associated with the alloying and de-alloying processes. It was demonstrated that the anode material with smaller nanoparticle size performs much better lithium storage performance. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.