It seems as if there are almost too many options when it comes to hair dryers. Differing technologies, designs and pricing can be confusing, so deciphering exactly what you need is a good place to start. Whether it’s speed or a smoothing effect, portability or a tool that will withstand four family members using it daily, there’s something for everyone – and finding the right one can mean the difference between wasted money and a worthwhile investment.
RRP: £99.99
Temperature settings: 4
Speed settings: 3
Power: 2000W
Weight: 547g
Cord length: 2.7m
Features: "Nanoe" technology, oscillating quick-dry nozzle, 3 attachments
Hailing from one of the leaders in technology – not only in terms of the best hair dryers but generally – the Panasonic EH-NA67 is a dryer that claims to be for the whole family. Suitable for children and adults, it features an oscillating quick-dry nozzle to reduce hot spots on the scalp and speed up drying time.
Although it looks a little strange, thanks to its Nanoe technology outlet (more on this later) it’s racked up rave reviews online with parents claiming to love its features. Let’s see how it fares.
Our contributing beauty editor's Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer review
Our first impressions of the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer
At first glance, this is a big, chunky hair dryer. The design features a big hump on the top of the barrel, where its "Nanoe" technology outlet is. This looks unusual but I do like its sturdiness. It’s not an aesthetically pleasing tool by any means, but it does look professional, like the kind of hair dryer you’d find in a salon that has to withstand 20 blow dries a day.
Included with this hair dryer are three different attachments: a diffuser, a concentrator and a quick-dry nozzle. Often, hair dryers are sold without extra nozzles, so this is particularly useful if you’ll be using this one on the whole family and varying hair types need to be styled differently.
When you’re holding this hair dryer, it feels a little top-heavy. Upright, it swayed in my hand and needed a firm grip, which you might find uncomfortable if you have thick hair that takes a while to dry, i.e you’re holding the dryer above your head for a long time, or if lots of little ones need their hair drying.
How does the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer perform?
On full power and maximum heat, this hair dryer definitely dries hair quickly. My mid-length hair was completely dry in minutes, but attaching the quick-dry nozzle sped up the drying process considerably. The oscillating feature of this attachment meant my scalp felt comfortable and free from hot spots, but its back and forth motion means the dryer tends to wobble in your hand – adding to its tricky manoeuvrability. This and its considerable weight meant my arm definitely ached a little after trying to give myself a big, bouncy blow dry. Each nozzle attachment adds length to an already bulky tool, which means you have to hold your arm further away, something that also feels slightly uncomfortable.
When the machine is at full power it’s pretty noisy, so it's far from one of the quietest hair dryers, but my hair felt smooth, shiny and healthy after each use. Blasting my hair dry with my regular hair dryer, which I do most days, can sometimes leave my hair feeling brittle, but that wasn’t the case with the EH-NA67. It would certainly be suitable for very young children with fine hair and sensitive scalps where parents don’t want to risk damage.
One feature I really loved was how instantaneously the cool shot button delivered cooler air (an area where lots of hair dryers can fall down), as this speeds up the overall drying time considerably. I wasn’t left hanging around waiting for it to swap settings, it feels cool straight away.
How does the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer compare?
With an impressive four temperature settings, three power settings and three attachment choices, this hair dryer is great for customising your blow dry and adjusting for use on the whole family. It gives you fantastic control and delivers on drying speed.
As mentioned earlier, it also features Nanoe technology, whereby water particles penetrate the hair cuticle to restore moisture, reduce frizz and prevent heat damage – something Panasonic claims is far superior to ion technology. I can’t say I noticed a huge difference to my hair from this feature, but it certainly didn’t feel damaged after each use.
Where this hair dryer really stands out is its speed. My hair dried far quicker than with other tools I’ve tested in the past which would appeal to large families or wriggly children reluctant to sit still for longer than a few minutes.
Should you buy the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer?
If you’re searching for a hair dryer to suit your entire family, I’d highly recommend this one. It’s a fantastic machine that speeds up drying time, eliminates hot spots on the scalp and comes with plenty of customisable settings as well as a long cord.
Where I prefer other hair dryers is the sheer size and weight of the EH-NA67. It’s bulky, top-heavy and hard to manoeuvre. Travelling with it might mean you need a bigger suitcase as it’s definitely not a compact design! Plus, it’s also not the most aesthetically pleasing of hair dryers and looks a little strange. At nearly £100, I’d expect something more premium looking, but on the whole, it’s functional if lacking a little foresight.
