This study aimed to investigate the effects of mix sowing of different maize varieties on population characteristics and yield in soybean-maize strip intercropping systems, providing a reference for optimizing the population structure and further enhancing the benefits of soybean-maize strip intercropping. Under the 6:4 row ratio planting pattern of soybean and maize, the tall maize variety ‘Denghai 710’ (DH710), dwarf maize variety ‘Huangjinliang MY73’ (MY73), and soybean variety ‘Qihuang 34’ (QH34) were selected as experimental materials. Three intercropping pattern treatments were established: monocropping tall maize variety in the maize strip (TD), monocropping dwarf maize variety in the maize strip (TM), and intercropping tall maize variety in the inner rows with dwarf maize variety in the border rows (TF). Additionally, three pure variety treatments were included: monocropped DH710 (MD), monocropped MY73 (MM), and monocropped QH34 (SQ). The study examined the effects of maize variety mixtures on yield and yield components, light distribution characteristics, and economic benefits of the intercropping system. The results showed that the maize yield of TF treatment was 3.56% and 8.97% higher than TM and TD, respectively, and the economic benefits were 2.46% and 10.60% higher than TM and TD, respectively; mixed cropping of tall and dwarf maize varieties significantly enhanced light interception in the upper canopy of maize rows, demonstrating strong biomass production capacity, with the increase in dry matter accumulation in inner rows being greater than the decrease in border rows. In summary, by using the mixed sowing of ‘inner row high stalk + border row dwarf’, the wave canopy can be constructed, the light distribution can be optimized, the dry matter accumulation can be improved, and the maize yield can be increased, the soybean yield can be stabilized, and the comprehensive benefit can be improved. This model is simple and easy, adapts to the existing agricultural machinery, and provides a new path for high yield and high efficiency of compound planting in Huang-Huai-Hai region.