Panasonic nanoe Compact Hair Dryer EH-NA2C-W (White) - Japanese Nanoe Techonology, Foldable Travel Blow Dryer with Oscillating Quick Dry Nozzle, 1400W Lightweight Portable Hair Dryer, Anti-Frizz

Why it's worth it

Panasonic's nanoe system pulls moisture out of the air and drives it into your hair, and owners with frizz-prone or color-treated hair notice the difference. It folds, weighs a little over a pound, and runs at 1400 watts, so thick hair will take longer.

Nanoe isn't the same thing as ordinary ionic. Panasonic states that its particles carry roughly a thousand times more moisture than standard negative ions, and the pitch is hydration rather than static knockdown alone. Consumer Reports is clear that ionic treatment doesn't meaningfully shorten drying time, so don't buy this expecting speed. Buy it because your hair frizzes in humidity and you're headed somewhere humid.

The oscillating nozzle is the sleeper feature. It swings back and forth on its own, spreading heat instead of parking it on one section. That matters most when you're drying fast in a cramped bathroom and waving the dryer around anyway. Owners with fine or color-treated hair consistently report less of the scorched, straw-like feeling that cheaper dryers leave behind after a week of daily use.

From our review of 8 travel hair dryers

What we like

• +Nanoe isn't the same thing as ordinary ionic
• +The oscillating nozzle is the sleeper feature
• +At 1400 watts it's the least powerful pick here, and you'll feel that if your hair is long and thick
• +The controls are refreshingly simple

What to know

• –Panasonic doesn't state dual voltage on this listing, and that's a real problem for the people most drawn to a nanoe dryer
• –It's also the slowest dryer here on paper, and there's no diffuser in the box