To reduce irreversible capacity and improve cycle performance of tin used in lithium ion batteries, Sn-Ni alloy nanorod electrodes with different Sn/Ni ratios were prepared by an anodic aluminum oxide template-assisted electrodeposition method. The structural and electrochemical performance of the electrode were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling measurement. The results showed that the copper substrate is covered with uniformly distributed Sn-Ni alloy nanorods with an average diameter of 250 nm. Different phases (Sn, Ni3Sn4 and metastable phases) of alloy nanorod formed in the electrodeposition baths with different compositions of Sn2+ and Ni2+ ions. Sn-Ni alloy nanorod electrode delivered excellent capacity retention and rate performance.