The heat transfer in flow past thin needle has applications in instruments like hot wire anemometers. The objective of this article is to study the influence of hybrid nanoparticles on heat transfer distribution of the boundary layer flow over a parabolically shaped thin hot needle. The Sakiadis and Blasius 2-D flow scenarios have been analyzed by implementing a mathematical model with the Navier–Stokes and the energy equations. The resulting equations are solved numerically by using a similarity solution technique. This technique results in a differential equation in terms of a single variable, representing the curves parallel to the needle surface. The results show that using distinct nanoparticles allows us to control the heat transfer rate apart from the physical parameters, such as, needle size or velocity ratio parameter. A comparative analysis of Nusselt number, frictional drag, temperature, and velocity profiles for Ag–water nanofluid, Ag–CuO/water hybrid nanofluid, and CuO–water nanofluid has been carried out for different flow conditions, including Sakiadis and Blasius flow. The addition of nanoparticles hikes the heat transfer rate by 27–28% in Blasius flow and 6–8% in Sakiadis flow. © 2021, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science.