Spongy NiCo2O4powders were prepared by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method for lithium ions storage. The effects of combustion parameters including fuel type (l-lysine, glycine, and urea) and fuel amount on the lithium storage performance of NiCo2O4powders were analyzed by various characterization techniques. Single-phase NiCo2O4powders with extremely porous microstructure showed a strong drop of initial specific capacity up to 350 mAhg−1which was recovered up to 666 mAhg−1following 100 charge/discharge cycles. However, the NiCo2O4powders prepared by the urea andl-lysine fuels with the compacted microstructure showed the capacity loss without any recovery. The spongy NiCo2O4powders showed an acceptable capability rate performance (404 mAhg−1@ 400 mAg−1).