Cu_0.27Co_2.73O₄/MnO₂ hybrid hierarchical nanostructure arrays directly on pressed nickel foam, with thin MnO₂ nanoflakes homogeneously wrapped on Cu_0.27Co_2.73O₄ nanorod arrays, are successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal and post heat-treatment method. The microstructures, phase structure, crystalline state, chemical components and chemical bonding state of the hybrids are systematically characterized using XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM. The electrochemical performance of the Cu_0.27Co_2.73O₄/MnO₂ hybrid electrode for electrochemical capacitors (EC) is investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. A superior areal capacitance of ∼4 F cm⁻² is obtained for the Cu_0.27Co_2.73O₄/MnO₂ hybrid electrode even at a high current density of ∼18.6 mA cm⁻². The 3D Cu_0.27Co_2.73O₄/MnO₂ hierarchically porous nanorod array structures endow the electrodes with a large specific surface area and improve the pathway for ion diffusion, thus leading to high areal capacitance and excellent rate capability, and indicate their promising application as binder-free electrodes for high performance EC and potentiality triggering the exploration of improved areal capacitance for miniaturized devices.