ZnCo2O4/ZnO/carbon nanotubes (ZZCO/CNTs) nanocomposite is fabricated via a facile and rapid strategy of microwave-irradiation process followed by annealing. The nanocomposites are composed of ZnCo2O4/ZnO (ZZCO) nanocrystals (5nm) coated on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes, and the introduction of carbon nanotubes can greatly improve the conductivity and stability of the hybrid material and effectively prevent the aggregation of ZZCO nanoparticles. When considered as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the as-synthesized ZZCO/CNTs nanocomposite exhibits a high-reversible specific capacity of around 1440mAhg(-1) at the current density of 100mAg(-1), excellent cycling stability up to 200 cycles at a high current density of 500 mAg(-1) and superior rate performance.