<p>Tin dioxide (SnO₂) is considered a highly potential anode candidate for both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries because of its high theoretical capacity and low working voltage. However, its practical application faces challenges such as slow electrochemical reaction kinetics and substantial volume expansion during charge-discharge cycles, which result in limited rate performance and severe capacity fading. To address these challenges, we propose a hollow SnO₂@nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) composite with an inner-wall-confined structure and internal void space. This structural design features uniformly distributed SnO₂ nanoparticles anchored on the interior surface of an N-doped carbon matrix, which enhances electron transfer while efficiently mitigating volume-induced stress. When tested as an anode material, the SnO₂@NC composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical behavior, delivering high reversible capacities and remarkable cycle durability—maintaining 1149.8 mAh·g^− 1 after 100 cycles in LIBs and 342.2 mAh·g^− 1 after 200 cycles in LIBs under a current density of 0.2&#xa0;A·g^− 1. Moreover, it demonstrates exceptional rate performance and enduring stability, even under conditions of elevated current density. The unique structural design offers an effective strategy to overcome the critical limitations of SnO₂-based electrodes, providing insights into the development of high-performance energy storage materials.</p>