Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were deposited on Cu foam by a floating catalyst method, and a Mn₃O₄ layer was then coated onto the deposited CNFs via a hydrothermal process based on the redox reaction of carbon and potassium permanganate. The obtained architecture of Mn₃O₄-coated CNFs (CNFs@Mn₃O₄) on Cu foam was directly used as an anode for lithium-ion batteries without using any binder or conducting additive. The anode showed high reversible capacity, good cycle stability and superior rate capability. A reversible capacity of up to 1210.4 mA h g⁻¹ was obtained after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. When the current density increased to 5000 mA g⁻¹, it could deliver a capacity of more than 300 mA h g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique morphology of the CNFs@Mn₃O₄ nanocomposites, which can buffer the volume change, decrease the contact resistance, shorten the ionic diffusion path and make the electron transport more efficient.