Panasonic Nanoe Compact folded

If you’re looking for a powerful compact hair dryer that folds for easy storage, look no further than the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C. The latest installment in Panasonic’s Nanoe line (characterized by the ionizing “nanoe outlet” above the nozzle of each dryer), this model is sleek, convenient, and features three airflow settings.

What’s in the box of the Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer? 

The contents of the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C are pretty simple. In the box, you’ll find the dryer itself, warranty and product information, and a single oscillating quick-dry nozzle attachment.

Panasonic Nanoe Compact review

What does an oscillating attachment do?

The key feature of the Panasonic Nanoe line is, in my opinion, not the brand’s deep-penetrating ionic “Nanoe” technology. Most, if not all, hair dryers have some kind of proprietary ionizing technology that’s supposed to change your haircare routine forever, and in my experience, they’re all more or less equally as effective. Some may dry slightly faster, or deliver slightly smoother results, or come with more bells and whistles, but at the end of the day, your hair is going to end up dry either way.

No: What I think the key feature of the Panasonic Nanoe line actually is is their oscillating nozzle. It wiggles slightly as the dryer runs, jiggling the airflow of each Nanoe just a tiny bit. The oscillating attachment means that you don’t have to shake or toss your hair dryer to prevent hot spots as you use it, and while simple, it’s pretty handy. It moves less than others I’ve seen, so even though you get that little bit of extra heat dispersion, the oscillation won’t increase your drying time. (Confession: I still jiggle a little even though I don’t need to. Old habits die hard!)

How to use an oscillating attachment to reduce heat damage hair

How do I use an oscillating attachment to reduce heat damage?

To use a hair dryer with an oscillating attachment, I’ll generally shampoo and condition my hair with a moisturizing formula—right now, I’m using a custom duo from a brand called Prose. Then, I’ll towel my hair dry and add a heat protectant. (The one I use in this video review is from Living Proof, but anything designed around heat protection will work!) Finally, I’ll pop on the oscillating attachment and dry my hair in small sections, moving slowly to different sections of hair and focusing on the mid-length and ends of my hair. This is the key technique that’ll help you reduce heat damage: You want to hold your dryer at a distance, never staying in the same spot for long.

When my hair is almost dry, I kind of twist it loosely to add shape at the ends and roots. I’ll use the oscillating attachment to gently dry both my roots and ends, and when they’re fully dry, I switch to the dryer’s cool function to set the shape. This cold shot helps to set the style and make it last even without hairspray.

Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C

How do the different Panasonic Nanoe models compare?

Panasonic’s Nanoe is a really interesting line—or, at least, it is to me. Thanks to the brand’s focus and experience in consumer electronics, Panasonic personal care tools are designed and labelled in a way that reminds me more of televisions and microwaves than of other hair products like shampoo or flat irons.

When Panasonic releases a product, they release it with just one name: In this case, “Nanoe.” Then, that name is paired with a product code: This one’s is “EHNA2C.” When the brand updates their product lineup, as they are continuously doing, they tend to re-release old favourites under new product codes with improvements to their design and function.

So, instead of having a lineup of product names like “Nanoe, Nanoe II, Micro, and Ion,” you’ll see something more like the “Nanoe EHNA2C, Nanoe EHNA65, and Nanoe EHNA27K.” Over time, I find that the way Panasonic does things makes it really easy to stick with the same brand over time. It’s easy to know which products will be like the ones you’ve loved before, but it also gives Panasonic a lot of room to keep product lines up to date and constantly release better versions of old products. So, when it comes time to replace your hair dryer, you always know which one to purchase to continue getting the same great experience.

Using the Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer

As someone with straight, thin hair, I don’t need a lot out of my hair dryer. The Panasonic Nanoe line does the job, and I’ve liked every product I’ve tried from the line, but I haven’t loved any of them. The long nozzle that’s characteristic of the Nanoe range feels a little awkward to me (it’s roughly as long as my forearm), and my hair often ends up tangled in the intake filter of their compact models, like this one.

Because my primary issue with the Nanoe line is the length of its nozzle, I had a great experience with the Nanoe Compact. (An experience, I think, that most people would get from the original.) The Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C is petite-sized and easy to use, with excellent power and heat. I can see it being a better choice for travel, but I also recommend compact hair dryers for people with thin to medium-thick hair who simply don’t need their blow dryer very often. I reach for a blow dryer once a season at most, and I really only keep one at home for guests. So, a compact model like this one is perfect for me. It still does a great job, and while its functions are more limited, its smaller storage size makes it worth the compromise.

Finally, while the Nanoe Compact is significantly smaller than the regular-sized Nanoe line, I noticed that it’s still much larger than my usual compact dryer. If size is of the utmost importance to you, make sure to check the product dimensions before purchasing.

Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C review

Is a compact hair dryer right for everyone?

Simply put: No. While I had a great experience with this hair dryer, I don’t think it’s quite up to par for an everyday hair tool. If you use your hair dryer regularly, I recommend the full-sized Panasonic Nanoe EHNA67instead, which I reviewed last year. The EHNA67 has the same general silhouette and features as the Compact, but it’s a little sleeker and much larger. It’s more powerful (1875 watts to the Compact’s 1400 watts) and it’s designed with a separate cold shot button, allowing you to make use of both high and medium speeds of cool air.

Having a separate cold shot button may seem inconsequential, but it’ll give you more control over setting your hairstyle. It’ll also help speed up your everyday hair care routine when it comes to things like round brushing and styling—the EHNA67 comes with a directional attachment as well, which will help create even more professional results.

So, my advice? If you’re looking for a smaller hair dryer, check this one out. It’s not a particularly tiny compact dryer, but it’s well-made and very sleek. For more power and features, opt for a full-sized Nanoe instead.

Shop the Panasonic Nanoe Compact hair dryer online at Best Buy today.

Rae Chen
Rae covers everything from air fryers to speakers here on the Best Buy Blog. Their work can also be found at thenotice.net, where they've been writing about beauty & wellness since 2007.

414 COMMENTS

  1. The feature I love the most is the fact that it’s compact. My current hair dryer is huge and takes a lot of room. Therefore this compact dryer is an upgrade.

  2. The oscillating attachment for sure. It makes it easier to distribute heat, which I don’t have on my hairdryer.

  3. I use the old fashioned method of Towel Drying.

    This would be a step up. With it’s compact size, easy to store (Bonus of using for travel).

  4. The Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer (EHNAZC) is compact in size, but still very powerful, making it perfect for travel.

  5. The one feature I love about the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C is the oscillating attachment, and it would be an upgrade from your current hair dryer because it will help me reduce heat damage!

  6. Nanoe Compact is significantly smaller than the regular-sized Nanoe line which would make it more convenient for me to hold and style with.

  7. The oscillating nozzle would make drying my hair so much easier. It’s light too which is a real plus compared to my hairdryer

  8. I love the Oscillating quick-dry nozzle in such a compact model! It is a huge upgrade from my current dryer because of the amazing 1400 Watts which mine is lacking and takes forever to dry my thick hair.

  9. With its oscillating nozzle, I won’t have to stand there and wiggle my arm and wrist for 5 minutes. Great idea.

  10. The oscillating nozzle sounds like it really helps dry hair safely and effectively. My current dryer is 15-20 years old so this would definitely be an improvement!

  11. I love that the oscillating nozzle means the moving hot air results in less heat damage to my hair. This would certainly be an upgrade from my old hair dryer that certainly doesn’t have an oscillating nozzle!

  12. Compared to my present bulky hair dryer, this one is so compact that it would be easier to move around when drying my hair & would save space when travelling.

  13. The feature I love about the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C Comoact hair dryer is the oscillating nozzle! I also love the convenience of its compact size! This would be a HUGE upgrade from my current hair dryer that only has one setting and is MASSIVE and not good for traveling with!

  14. The one feature Ilove about the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C is the compact feature, plus the frizz-smoothing nanoe technology. It would be an upgrade from my current hair dryer because I’ve had it for years and didn’t pay much more than $25 for it. Very basic.

  15. Thank you for introducing the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C hair dryer to us. The handle which can be bent is a very good feature to put in luggage when travel. I have thin and light weight hair, the dryer would be fitted to me.

  16. being my hairdryer is so old and not working well all the features are wonderful. The one that is really interesting is the oscillating nozzle!

  17. I rarely dry my hair with a hairdryer so a smaller one would be better, take up less space in the house and in the suitcase.

  18. The feature I love about the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C is the excellent heat and power that you get from a compact dryer. It would be an upgrade from my current compact hair dryer because it has a higher wattage – 1400 versus my current 1200.

  19. The compact size. My hair dryer is really ancient, big, and noisy. Too bad this Nanoe EHNA2C doesn’t have the cold mode/button, though.

  20. I love the size of it, it’s so compact and convenient! It’s an upgrade because I don’t currently have a hair dryer!

  21. OMG my wife complains all the time about this in all our travels she wold love This small sized hair dryer with three heat settings. if I dont win this is my next buy.
    LOL

  22. The cold shot button! My current hair dryer is pretty old and doesn’t have a cold button or mode, so i always have to use it on the low heat setting to prevent damaging my hair.

  23. One feature I love is the oscillating nozzle. It would be an upgrade from my current hair dryer because I don’t have one!

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