In this study, the Ni60A/WC composite coatings with different contents of CNTs are successfully prepared on the surface of 45 steel by laser cladding. The results show that the five coatings are composed of Ni-Cr-Fe solid solution and hard phases such as WC, W₂C, Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆, and B₄C. Adding an appropriate amount of CNTs promotes the uniform distribution of hard phase, refines the microstructure of cladding layer, and greatly improves the microhardness of cladding layer. When 0.5% mass fraction CNTs are added, the microhardness reaches 1100 HV, the friction coefficient decreases to 0.3, and the wear volume decreases to 1.24×10^-4 mm^3, indicating CNTs have excellent self-lubricating properties and Ni-based composite coatings with excellent properties can be prepared by adding an appropriate amount of CNTs.