The MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Co, and Ni) mesoporous spheres with an average diameter of 250 nm were synthesized through a template-free hydrothermal method. The mesoporous MnFe2O4 with a large surface area of 87.5 m(2)/g and an average pore size of 27.52 nm were obtained. As the anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the mesoporous MnFe2O4 exhibits excellent initial charge and discharge capacities of 1010 and 642.5 mA h/g. After 50 cycles, the discharge capacity could still remain at 379 mA h/g. The results showed that the active phase and the synergy between different metal oxides greatly improved the electrochemical performance, and the mesoporous composite could stabilize the structure of the electrodes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.