Noise-cancelling headphones come in handy

A GOOD set of active noise-cancelling headphones is almost a must for those who take long-haul flights frequently.

Encase your ears in the noise-cancelling cans, flick the switch and the background roar from the airliner's turbofans pretty much disappears.

Noise-cancelling headphones use a tiny microphone that picks up ambient noise.

The downside of travelling with noise-cancelling headphones is lugging them around.

A set of full-size cans and their accompanying case takes out quite a chunk of precious flight bag real estate.

Enter Audio-Technica's ANC3 bud-sized active noise cancellers, which kill the noise while taking up a fraction of the space.

The ANC3s consist of a pair of conventional looking earbuds attached to a small plastic case that holds the AAA battery.

Included are three different sized ear tips, an extension cable, a carry case, clothing clip and an adapter that fits most airline entertainment systems, although not (speaking from bitter experience) those on United Airlines.

There's a power on/off switch on the case and the phones still work if the battery runs flat, although their noise-cancelling ability dies with the battery.

A handy mute button on the case helps when cabin staff come offering food and booze.

I tried the ANC3s on a trip from Sydney to Tokyo and also took along a pair of Audio Technica's full-size ANC7 noise-cancelling headphones for comparison.

There was nothing in the noise-cancelling contest between the two, although I found the full-sized cans slightly more comfortable to wear compared with the buds.

As for music, there wasn't a whole lot in that contest either, although the larger phones seemed to supply better detail.

All in all, for noise-cancelling ability coupled with carrying convenience I'd pack the ANC3s for my long-haul flights