In order to solve the problem of poor conductivity and expansion of ferric oxide (Fe3O4), firstly, the composite powder of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoFe3O4 was prepared, then CNT/Fe3O4 encapsulated by pitch (Fe3O4/CNT@pitch) powder were obtained by solution coating, and further carbonization to obtain CNT/Fe3O4@C nanocomposites. Our results indicate that CNT content in the CNT/Fe3O4@C has significant effect on the electrochemical performance. CNT/Fe3O4@C with high (5.88wt%) content of CNT (CNT-M/Fe3O4@C) has more excellent rate characteristics, which is due to its low charge transfer resistance and high conductivity, while CNT/Fe3O4@C with low (0.31wt%) content of CNT (CNT-S/Fe3O4@C) exhibits the highest reversible specific capacity of 588.8 mAh g−1 when compared with 425.6 mAh g−1 for CNT-M/Fe3O4@C after 300 cycles at 100 mA g−1, which is due to its low specific surface area. The simple preparation process of CNT/Fe3O4@C is worth industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]