Metal oxide hollow structures have received great attention because of their many promising applications in a wide range of fields. As electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), metal oxide hollow structures provide high specific capacity, superior rate capability, and improved cycling performance. In this Research News, we summarize the recent research activities in the synthesis of metal oxide hollow nanostructures with controlled shape, size,composition, and structural complexity, as well as their applications in LIBs. By focusing on hollow structures of some binary metal oxides (such as SnO 2 ,TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 ) and complex metal oxides, we seek to provide some rational understanding on the effect of nanostructure engineering on the electrochemical performance of the active materials. It is thus anticipated that this article will shed some light on the development of advanced electrode materials for next-generation LIBs.