The work aims to investigate the effects of magnetic field and vertical and parallel magnetic field directions on the properties of Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating prepared by pulse-electrodeposition method. Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coatings were prepared successfully by pulse electrodeposition (PED) and magnetic field-pulse electrodeposition (MPED) with 45# steel as the base material. The morphology, microstructure and surface roughness of Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating were investigated by SEM, EDS, XRD and AFM. The mechanical properties such as microhardness, binding force and wear resistance were analyzed by the microhardness tester, scratching instrument and the friction and wear tester. Under the same process conditions, the crystal of Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating prepared by the vertical MPED was in the shape of gold tower, the surface roughness was improved and the microhardness reached the maximum of 370HV. The surface of Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating prepared by parallel MPED was flat, dense and uniform, the weight fraction of Zr in the composite coating was 8.27%, the surface roughness Ra and Rq values were 82 nm and 105 nm, respectively and the binding force was 337 N. Besides, the wear loss was lower than that in the other two coatings. After the magnetic field is applied, the surface of the Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating is flat, uniform and dense under the MHD effects. The microhardness, binding force with the base material and wear resistance are better than PED deposited composite coating. Parallel MPED is obviously more conductive to promoting the mechanical properties of Ni-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating.