Maxell Fusion X 197299

The Maxell Fusion X 197299 is a budget wired USB-C earbud with surprisingly good comfort and a handy USB-A adapter. Sound is average and call quality is weak, but for simple listening on laptops and tablets it gets the job done. Best for people who want a no-fuss wired option under USD 30.

The Fusion X covers the standard 20Hz to 20kHz range with a 32 ohm impedance, so it's easy to drive from just about anything with a USB-C port. The built-in DAC does help keep the signal cleaner than a cheap analog dongle would, but it's not going to transform a mediocre recording into something magical. Sound quality sits right around the middle of the pack in our testing, which means it's fine for podcasts, YouTube, and casual music, but it won't wow anyone who's used to nicer IEMs.

The mic is where things get rough. Call quality scores in the 40th percentile, and the weakest area overall is calls at 20.6 out of 100. If you're planning to use these for Zoom meetings or phone calls all day, you'll probably be disappointed. For music and video, though, the performance is acceptable for the price.

Compared to the Nothing Buds Buds 2 or the Anker Space A40, the Maxell Fusion X is a completely different animal. Those are true wireless earbuds with ANC, apps, and much better call quality, but they also cost significantly more. The Fusion X is for people who don't want to charge another device and just need a wired connection that always works. Against the Soundcore P31i, the Maxell loses on sound and mic quality but wins on simplicity and the included USB-A adapter. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro is another wired competitor that offers a bit more bass emphasis, but the Maxell's comfort is hard to beat at this price.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you look. In the US, we saw listings from USD 19 to USD 30 across five vendors, with Newegg typically offering the lowest price. In Europe, the spread is tighter, EUR 26 to EUR 30 across four listings. The CAD 17 price in Canada is the best deal we spotted, but availability varies. For a wired USB-C earbud with a DAC and an adapter, the low end of that range is fair. At the high end, you're getting close to better options like the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro, which add Bluetooth and better mics.

The Maxell Fusion X 197299 is a wired USB-C in-ear headphone that sits firmly in the budget bracket, usually landing between USD 19 and USD 30 depending on where you shop. It's aimed at people who just need a simple pair of earbuds for a laptop, tablet, or phone that dropped the headphone jack. There's no Bluetooth, no app, and no noise cancelling, just a cable, a mic, and a built-in DAC.

Maxell pitches these as a high quality audio solution with a digital analog chipset for clearer sound. In practice, the sound is about average for this price range, landing in the 60th percentile in our database. The comfort is the real standout here, sitting in the 95th percentile, which is impressive for cheap in-ear buds. If you're wondering whether the Maxell Fusion X is good for everyday listening, the answer is a soft yes, as long as you keep expectations realistic.

One thing that makes these a bit different is the included USB-A adapter. That's genuinely useful for older school laptops or desktops that don't have USB-C. The inline remote handles volume and track control with a slide bar, which is a little unusual but works fine once you get used to it.

Skip the Maxell Fusion X if you take a lot of calls or video meetings, because the mic is genuinely weak. Anyone who wants better sound quality should look at the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro instead, both of which offer Bluetooth and better audio for not much more money. If you need noise cancelling, these aren't even in the conversation, so check out the Anker Space A40. And if you're rough on your gear, the build quality here is below average, so you might want something sturdier.

Should you buy the Maxell Fusion X 197299? If you need a cheap, comfortable pair of wired USB-C earbuds for a laptop or tablet, and you don't care about call quality, then yes, it's a reasonable pick. The comfort is genuinely excellent, and the USB-A adapter adds real flexibility for older machines. But if you take a lot of calls or want better sound, you should probably spend a bit more elsewhere.

For students or office workers who just need something that plugs in and works, these are fine. For anyone who cares about music quality or uses earbuds as a headset, the weak mic and average sound will get old fast.