In this paper, 3D plum candy-like ZnCo₂O₄ microspheres (3D plum candy-like ZCO MSs) with nanoscale building blocks were synthesized by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technology and evaluated as anode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The uniform ZnCo₂O₄ microspheres exhibit plum candy-like architectures and are built from a large amount of interconnected nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 38 nm. Owing to the unique hierarchical porous structure, the 3D plum candy-like ZCO MSs exhibit many advantageous properties such as their ability to facilitate the transport of Li⁺ and electrolytes by shortening the diffusion ways, to accommodate the mechanical stress and volume change associated with the Li⁺ insertion/extraction processes, and to improve the contact area between electrode and electrolyte, which are beneficial to improve the electrochemical performance. As a consequence, the ZnCo₂O₄ nanomaterials exhibit excellent cycling performance with a discharge capacity of 1030 mA h g⁻¹ after 110 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹ and superior rate capability (769 mA h g⁻¹ at 2000 mA g⁻¹). In virtue of the simple synthesis method and excellent electrochemical performance, 3D porous ZCO MSs have huge potential as anode materials for the next-generation LIBs.