Scored using Microphones Methodology v1.0
Microphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Microphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Microphones Methodology v1.0

Creative Live Mic M3 Review | 76 Data compared

Avg. price:~£55Connection type:USBTransducer type:condenserMax SPL:?Supported sample rates:44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHzOutput connector type:micro-USB

Creative Live Mic M3 Review: Compare 76 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Microphones category and whether it is worth buying.

7.3

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the microphone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best microphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

75%

7.1

Technical score

25%

7.6

User score

▲Better than 61% of microphones
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

20%

7.6

Audio Performance

20%

6.6

Recording

16%

6.0

Pickup Patterns

16%

6.4

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

8.6

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

6.6

Design

3%

5.7

Accessories

▲Better than 66% of microphones
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on 81 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
▼Worse than 90% of microphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of microphone Creative Live Mic M3

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

20%

7.6

Audio Performance

20%

6.6

Recording

16%

6.0

Pickup Patterns

16%

6.4

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

8.6

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

6.6

Design

3%

5.7

Accessories

7.1
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

5.0

Number of reviews

Based on 81 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Creative Live Mic M3 has a popularity score of 5 points, which is lower than 58.8% of microphones.
5.0
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the microphone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a microphone with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

7.3

Overall score

40%

10

Price

8.1
Microphone type
studio
Transducer type
condenser
Diaphragm size
14 mm
Capsule type
dual
Sensitivity
-35 dBV/Pa
Show more
Connection type
USB
Output connector type
micro-USB
Headphone output
yes
Headphone output
yes
This microphone includes a headphone output. 62.3% of microphones include this output.
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
This microphone includes a 3.5 mm jack. 62.8% of microphones include this connector.
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
This microphone does not include a 6.35 mm jack. 2% of microphones include this connector.
Show more
Supported sample rates
44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Supported bit depths
16, 24 bit
Audio interface sample rate
96 kHz
Audio interface sample rate
96 kHz
This microphone supports an interface sample rate of 96 kHz which is higher than that of 58.5% of microphones and equal to that of 24% of microphones.
Audio interface bit depth
24 bit
Audio interface bit depth
24 bit
This microphone supports an interface bit depth of 24 bit which is higher than that of 42.1% of microphones and equal to that of 56.7% of microphones.
Signal-to-noise ratio (DAC)
?
Show more
N. of polar patterns
2
N. of polar patterns
2
The number of selectable polar patterns offered by this microphone is 2, which is higher than that of 75.9% of microphones and equal to that of 6.5% of microphones.
Cardioid pattern
yes
Cardioid pattern
yes
This microphone supports a cardioid pickup pattern. 91% of microphones support this pattern.
Omnidirectional pattern
yes
Omnidirectional pattern
yes
This microphone supports an omnidirectional pickup pattern. 25.6% of microphones support this pattern.
Hypercardioid pattern
no
Hypercardioid pattern
no
This microphone does not support a hypercardioid pickup pattern. 1.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Bidirectional pattern
no
Bidirectional pattern
no
This microphone does not support a bidirectional pickup pattern. 17.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Mute function
yes
Mute function
yes
This microphone includes a mute function. 67.8% of microphones include this control.
Onboard gain control
no
Onboard gain control
no
This microphone does not include onboard gain control. 51.3% of microphones include this control.
Volume control levels
1
Volume control levels
1
This microphone offers volume output of 1 which is higher than that of 34.9% of microphones and equal to that of 49.5% of microphones.
Flat DSP mode
no
Flat DSP mode
no
This microphone does not support a flat DSP mode. 25.6% of microphones offer this processing option.
DSP presets
0
DSP presets
0
This microphone offers 0 DSP presets, which is fewer than 16.6% of microphones and equal to 83.4% of microphones.
Show more
Phantom power required
no
Phantom power required
no
This microphone does not require phantom power. 90.5% of microphones also operate without phantom power.
Phantom power voltage
N/A
USB bus-powered
yes
USB bus-powered
yes
This microphone supports USB bus power. 85.9% of microphones support USB-powered operation.
Battery life
N/A
Height
215 mm
Height
215 mm
This microphone is 215 mm tall, which is taller than 74.4% of microphones and equal in height to 1% of microphones.
Width
57 mm
Width
57 mm
This microphone is 57 mm wide, which is wider than 52.8% of microphones and equal in width to 1% of microphones.
Thickness
88 mm
Thickness
88 mm
This microphone is 88 mm thick, which is thicker than 70.5% of microphones.
Weight
570 g
Weight
570 g
This microphone weighs 570 g, which is heavier than 52% of microphones.
Body material
plastic
Show more
Included accessories
stand; pop filter; cable
Shock mount included
no
Shock mount included
no
This microphone does not include a shock mount. 49.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Pop filter included
yes
Pop filter included
yes
This microphone includes a pop filter. 60.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Windscreen included
no
Windscreen included
no
This microphone does not include a windscreen. 31.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Cable length
1.5 m
Cable length
1.5 m
This microphone has a cable length of 1.5 m which is shorter than that of 82.5% of microphones and equal to that of 6.9% of microphones.
Android compatibility
no
Android compatibility
no
This microphone is not compatible with Android. 66.3% of microphones are compatible with Android.
iOS compatibility
yes
iOS compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with iOS. 61.3% of microphones are compatible with iOS.
Windows compatibility
yes
Windows compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with Windows. 100% of microphones are compatible with Windows.
Requires audio interface.
macOS compatibility
yes
macOS compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with macOS. 99.5% of microphones are compatible with macOS.
Xbox compatibility
no
Xbox compatibility
no
This microphone is not compatible with Xbox. 1.5% of microphones are compatible with Xbox.
Show more

Creative Live Mic M3 vs the average microphone

246810TotalAudio PerformanceConnectivityRecordingPickup PatternsControls & FeaturesPowerDesignAccessoriesCompatibility
  • Supports omnidirectional pickup
    Omnidirectional pattern
    yes
    This microphone supports omnidirectional pickup, the average microphone does not.
  • 1 more polar patterns
    N. of polar patterns
    2
    This microphone has more polar patterns than the average microphone (2 vs 1). The average microphone offers 1 polar patterns.
    2 vs 1
  • 48 kHz higher interface sample rate
    Audio interface sample rate
    96 kHz
    This microphone supports a higher audio interface sample rate than the average microphone (96 kHz vs 48 kHz). The average microphone audio interface supports 48 kHz.
    96 kHz vs 48 kHz
  • 48 kHz higher interface sample rate
    Audio interface sample rate
    96 kHz
    This microphone supports a higher audio interface sample rate than the average microphone (96 kHz vs 48 kHz). The average microphone audio interface supports 48 kHz.
    96 kHz vs 48 kHz
  • Supports omnidirectional pickup
    Omnidirectional pattern
    yes
    This microphone supports omnidirectional pickup, the average microphone does not.
  • 1 more polar patterns
    N. of polar patterns
    2
    This microphone has more polar patterns than the average microphone (2 vs 1). The average microphone offers 1 polar patterns.
    2 vs 1
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • 30 Hz higher low-frequency limit
    Lowest frequency
    50 Hz
    This microphone has a higher low-frequency cutoff than the average microphone (50 Hz vs 20 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a low-frequency limit of 20 Hz.
    50 Hz vs 20 Hz
  • Not compatible with Android
    Android compatibility
    no
    This microphone is not compatible with Android, the average microphone is.
  • 2,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    18,000 Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (18000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 5.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Creative Live Mic M3
    the average microphone
    Creative Live Mic M3 has a lower user score than the average microphone (7.64 vs 8.027).
    7.64 vs 8.03
  • 32 mm thicker body
    Thickness
    88 mm
    This microphone is thicker than the average microphone (88 mm vs 56 mm). The average microphone has a thickness of 56 mm.
    88 mm vs 56 mm
  • 30 mm taller body
    Height
    215 mm
    This microphone is taller than the average microphone (215 mm vs 185 mm). The average microphone has a height of 185 mm.
    215 mm vs 185 mm
  • 0.5 m shorter cable length
    Cable length
    1.5 m
    This microphone has a shorter cable than the average microphone (1.5 m vs 2 m). The average microphone has a cable length of 2 m.
    1.5 m vs 2 m
  • 5.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Creative Live Mic M3
    the average microphone
    Creative Live Mic M3 has a lower user score than the average microphone (7.64 vs 8.027).
    7.64 vs 8.03
  • 30 Hz higher low-frequency limit
    Lowest frequency
    50 Hz
    This microphone has a higher low-frequency cutoff than the average microphone (50 Hz vs 20 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a low-frequency limit of 20 Hz.
    50 Hz vs 20 Hz
  • 2,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    18,000 Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (18000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • 32 mm thicker body
    Thickness
    88 mm
    This microphone is thicker than the average microphone (88 mm vs 56 mm). The average microphone has a thickness of 56 mm.
    88 mm vs 56 mm
  • 30 mm taller body
    Height
    215 mm
    This microphone is taller than the average microphone (215 mm vs 185 mm). The average microphone has a height of 185 mm.
    215 mm vs 185 mm
  • 0.5 m shorter cable length
    Cable length
    1.5 m
    This microphone has a shorter cable than the average microphone (1.5 m vs 2 m). The average microphone has a cable length of 2 m.
    1.5 m vs 2 m
  • Not compatible with Android
    Android compatibility
    no
    This microphone is not compatible with Android, the average microphone is.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

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Third-party reviews

Based on 81 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Creative Live Mic M3

  • High-resolution audio recording up to 24-bit / 96kHz for clear and crisp voice quality
  • Comprehensive accessory kit including a weighted metal table stand and magnetic pop filter
  • Dual polar patterns (Cardioid and Omnidirectional) provide versatility for solo or group use
  • Real-time mic monitoring via a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack with volume control
  • Easy plug-and-play setup requiring no additional software or drivers
  • Physical mute button with a clear LED indicator for convenience during calls

What we don't like about Creative Live Mic M3

  • Uses an outdated Micro USB port rather than the modern USB-C standard
  • Plastic build can feel somewhat lightweight or cheap to some users
  • High sensitivity can lead to picking up background noises like keyboard typing or desk vibrations
  • Lacks a built-in shock mount, making it prone to capturing table bumps if not used with a boom arm
  • The 1/4-inch mounting thread may require an adapter for standard 3/8-inch or 5/8-inch boom arms
  • May struggle to capture very deep bass tones compared to more expensive professional microphones

Verdict

The Creative Live! Mic M3 is a compact USB condenser microphone featuring dual 14 mm capsules that support both cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns with high-resolution recording up to 24-bit / 96 kHz. It is a plug-and-play device equipped with a built-in 3.5 mm headphone jack for real-time monitoring, a dedicated mute button with an LED indicator, and a volume control knob for monitoring levels. Its main pros include an affordable price point, impressive audio clarity for its class, and a comprehensive accessory package featuring a weighted 90-degree tilt-adjustable desk stand and a magnetic pop filter. However, it utilizes an outdated micro-USB connection, lacks an internal gain control knob (only monitoring volume), and has a lightweight plastic build that can be sensitive to desk vibrations if not mounted on a boom arm.

Compare Creative Live Mic M3 with other products in the Microphones category

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