Six different carbons in variable particle size ranging from micrometric to nanometric and morphology ͑microbeads, flakes, nanofibers, and short and long multiwalled nanotubes͒ were tested as electrodes for Li-ion batteries. Their performance ͑particu-larly in regard to rate capability and cycling properties͒ was analyzed in terms of textural and structural properties as determined from N 2 adsorption and X-ray diffraction data, respectively. All carbons exhibited irreversible capacity ͑IC͒ to an extent governed by a combination of textural ͓͑S BET ͒ and pore volume͔ and structural properties ͑average layer stacking height and orientation index͒. However, no direct correlation between IC and cell performance in terms of the rate capability and cycling properties was observed. These two properties are more markedly influenced by structural ordering in the graphite layers. At low rates, high particle sizes and crystallinity resulted in enhanced cell performance. Ensuring good performance at high rates, however, required both a highly layered ordering and a nanometric particle size in the carbon. Carbons with special morphologies such as nanotubes or nanofibers possess a high structural disorder which is detrimental for use as electrode materials in Li-ion batteries.Graphitized carbons have so far been the most widely requested materials to manufacture anodes for commercial Li-ion batteries. This use relies on their ability to react reversibly with Li 1 and deliver a theoretical capacity of 372 mAh g −1 at voltages below 0.3 V vs Li metal. Advances in the use of graphitized carbons for this purpose have been the subject of many reviews. 2-6 The discovery of graphitized carbons with structures and textures such as fullerenes, single-walled carbon nanotube, multiwalled carbon nanotubes ͑MWCNTs͒, nanofibers, etc., opened up prospects for these materials and boosted activity in this research field. 7-12 Most of the forms have been deemed promising alternatives to conventional graphite on the grounds of their good electrochemical response in regard to delivered capacity and, occasionally, cycling. [13][14][15][16] In most cases however, the appraisal has been merely testimonial because studies provided inadequate data to endorse the usefulness of these singular structures with a view to supersede commercial graphite forms. Thus, a few years ago, Che et al. 14,17 suggested the future use of carbon nanotubes ͑CNTs͒ in Li-ion batteries on the grounds of a high Li + intercalation capacity ͑490 mAh g −1 ͒. However, no additional data concerning cycling performance or rate capability, which would have been essential to support this proposal, were reported. More systematic work on CNT 18,19 revealed a low reversible capacity measured at a relatively low rate ͑below 100 mAh g −1 at ca. C/4͒. Somewhat more impressive was the lithium storage capacity of ordered mesoporous carbon reported by Zhou et al. 20 ͑around 800 mAh g −1 , which was maintained over 20 cycles͒. However, the electrode was tested at a current equivalent to appro...