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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Table of Contents
The compact size makes it easy to pack and travel with.
My favourite feature is that it folds. My current dryer is always so awkward to pack because it doesn’t fold at all!
I like the compact size and the different airflow settings
One feature you love about the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C is the compact design and it would be an upgrade from my current hair dryer as this hair dryer is more powerful.
I like the oscillating attachment. Our current hair dryer doesn’t have this, so that would be an upgrade!
I like the compact size, it would be an upgrade from my hair dryer as it is not foldable
The oscillating attachment to reduce heat damage is a desirable feature!
I love the fact that it folds up. It will take ip so much less room in my cupboard.
Oscillating attachment seems interesting. I like the compact feature too.
I love the oscillating feature. Would be good for taming my hair (:
Folding up would mean good for storage
The oscillating feature would work great with my curly hair
The nozzles would be awesome to reduce heat damage
I like the fold up because it is good for travel
The oscillating feature would be unique
The fold up feature would make it more portable
Love the oscillating quick-dry nozzle attachment – quite an upgrade from my current stationary one.
I like the oscillating attachment. My current dryer does not have this so it would be a step up.
I love the 1875 watt which is way more powerful than the one I have now.
I like that the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C folds up. My dryer definitely doesn’t fold up and I like the compact size.
Thank you
The single oscillating quick-dry nozzle attachment which would help reduce heat damage is a feature I don’t have with my current hair dryer.
I love the compact size – great for travel
I love the compact size
Honestly it would be an “upgrade” because I don’t own one at all LOL
I love is compact size
I love the fact this hair dryer is petite-sized. This hair dryer would take up less room in the suitcase when travelling. My current hair dryer takes up too much room in my suitcase.
I love the oscillating nozzle so it will dry y hair quicker and easier.
I love that the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C folds up. Mine does not fold. GLA
i love the sleek modern design
I do not have this oscillating attachment on my current hair dryer
I love that the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C folds up. My current dryer definitely doesn’t fold up and is very bulky. This new dryer would be perfect for me.
I like that this hair dryer is very compact, way better for travelling than the current hair dryer which fills the suitcase.
I only take carry-on luggage on my trips. This compact size fits the bill.
I love the compact size – great for travelling
I love the small size!
I like the oscillating nozzle which means I can keep my head still when I am drying it as opposes to my regular dryer. This nozzle prevents one section of hair from heating up too much.
The oscillating nozzle would be great to tame my crazy hair.
I like the oscillating nozzle as my wife is always complaining our current dryer burns her hair in spots.
I like the oscillating nozzle that you don’t have to shake or toss your hair dryer to prevent hot spots.
i love that it is compact!
I love the oscillating quick-dry nozzle attachment. I do not have this on my hair dryer and this attachment reduces heat damage.
I like the tree air flow settings while my present dryer only has one. So this would be a great advantage.
I like that this hair dryer is compact and would take up less space in my travel bag.
It is a lot more compact than my current hair dryer so that would be a huge upgrade for travelling.
I love the oscillating feature on the Panasonic Nanoe EHNA2C! This would be an upgrade to my current dryer because it’s more than 5 years old!!!
I love the oscillating attachment to reduce heat damage. My current dryer doesn’t have anything to reduce heat damage, so this would be great.
The oscillating quick-dry nozzle is a feature that intrigues me.
The compact design for maximum portability is the number one feature for me.
The Nanoe technology penetrates deep into the hair but does not damage the hair as much as my other compact hair dryer!
The oscillating attachment sounds very effective!
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