Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 28, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000319815
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	mxwl
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,939,734