Maxell Maxell B-13 Bass Earbuds/Headphones with Review

The Maxell B-13 Bass Earbuds are a no-nonsense, wired budget option. Their best feature is a microphone that scores in the 85th percentile, making them great for calls. For under $15, they're worth it if you want boosted bass and hate charging headphones.

The Maxell B-13 Bass Earbuds are a straightforward, wired pair of in-ears that cost about as much as a decent lunch. They're built for one thing: delivering a bass-heavy sound without any fuss. You get a 52-inch cord, a built-in mic for calls, and that's pretty much it. There's no battery, no Bluetooth, and no noise cancellation, which keeps things simple and the price down in the $9 to $15 range.

In our database, these rank in the 41st percentile for sound and comfort, which tells you they're pretty average in those core areas. But they punch above their weight in a couple of spots, landing in the 85th percentile for mic quality and the 76th for connectivity—though that last one is a bit funny since 'connectivity' here just means 'the wire works.'

Let's be real, you're not buying these for a balanced, audiophile experience. The whole point is the bass, and thanks to that copper coil in the driver, it delivers. The low end is definitely boosted and can get a bit muddy, but if you want your music to thump on a budget, it does the job. The mic is surprisingly decent for the price, landing in the top 15% of all mics we've tested. Everything else is just okay. The sound quality overall is middle-of-the-pack, and the comfort is fine for short sessions but might get annoying after a few hours.

For the money, it's hard to complain. You're spending pocket change to get a functional pair of earbuds with a legitimately good mic and emphasized bass. If your main needs are taking calls and listening to bass-heavy music or podcasts without breaking the bank, the value is there. Just don't expect them to compete with even a $50 pair of wireless buds on overall sound refinement or features.

Stacked against the competition, the Maxell B-13s live in a totally different world. They're not competing with wireless giants like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. Those are for people who want premium sound and noise cancellation for ten times the price. A more direct budget rival might be something like the Anker Soundcore P3i, which is wireless, has ANC, and costs more. The Maxell's advantage is its sheer simplicity and low cost. If you hate charging things or need a reliable wired backup, the Maxell wins. If you want any modern features like wireless use or noise blocking, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Skip these if you need wireless freedom, noise cancellation, or a balanced sound profile. Also, if you're an athlete, our data gives these a fitness score of 9.5/100, so they're a terrible choice for the gym. Look for a dedicated sports model instead.

Buy these if you need a dead-simple, ultra-cheap pair of wired earbuds specifically for bass-forward listening and clear phone calls. They're perfect as a backup pair for your desk, gym bag, or for a kid. Their best score in our tests is for the microphone, which is genuinely good. Just know you're getting a very basic, no-frills experience.