Kotatsu Part 1.5: Which kotatsu heater should I buy?
What separates the models
Japanese kotatsu heaters offer plenty of choices, though names like MSU-501H and MHU-601E don't make the differences obvious. These 100V heaters need a step-down transformer for use in the US.
Quartz heats more slowly, while halogen and carbon warm up quickly and have significantly longer operating lives. Carbon also provides more even heating than halogen and is marketed as the more energy-efficient option.
Handheld controls let you see the temperature setting; on-unit knobs require reaching under the table and adjusting by feel.
Metro is generally my first choice. It specializes in kotatsu heaters, and several Yamazen models appear to be rebadged or closely related Metro designs. Yamazen is still worth checking because, as shown in the table below, it offers a few specialty configurations Metro doesn't.
Koizumi mainly sells replacement heaters for its own kotatsu tables rather than specializing in heater units, so I've included it mostly for completeness.
For an explanation of heater types, controls, and setup options, see Kotatsu Part 1: The Comprehensive Kotatsu Heater Guide. This addendum compares the current heater models, pricing, and model numbers.
Comprehensive kotatsu heater listing
Models and pricing were last updated September 7, 2026, with prices including US shipping from Amazon Japan. Hover over a total for the price breakdown and original yen amounts, and use the column filter icons to narrow the table.
| Brand | Model | Type | Watts | Fan | Control | Total cost to US | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | MCU-501E(DKB) | Carbon | 500 | Yes | Handheld | $88 | Amazon JP |
| Metro | MCU-501EC(KC) | Carbon | 500 | Yes | Handheld IC + timer/ECO | n/a | Not verified |
| Metro | MCU-501ET(DKB) | Carbon | 500 | Yes | Handheld + timer | n/a | Not verified |
| Metro Yamazen | MHU-601E(DKB) YHF-HDN604 | Halogen | 600 | Yes | Handheld | $89 $88 | Amazon JP Amazon JP |
| Metro | MHU-601ET(DKB) | Halogen | 600 | Yes | Handheld + timer | n/a | Not verified |
| Metro Yamazen | MS-303H(KB) YH-304 | Quartz | 300 | No | On-unit | $63 $62 | Amazon JP Amazon JP |
| Metro | MS-303HT(K) | Quartz | 300 | No | On-unit + timer | $77 | Amazon JP |
| Metro Yamazen | MSU-501H(KB) YHF-M507 | Quartz | 510 | Yes | On-unit | $66 $70 | Amazon JP Amazon JP |
| Metro | MSU-501HT(K) | Quartz | 510 | Yes | On-unit + timer | $83 | Amazon JP |
| Metro Yamazen | MSU-601E(DKB) YHF-M607DN | Quartz | 600 | Yes | Handheld | $83 $86 | Amazon JP Amazon JP |
| Yamazen | NYH-300S | Quartz | 300 | No | On-unit | $59 | Amazon JP |
| Yamazen | NYH-F510S | Quartz | 510 | Yes | On-unit | $76 | Amazon JP |
| Yamazen | NYH-FD600S | Quartz | 610 | Yes | Handheld | $84 | Amazon JP |
| Yamazen | YHF-HDN601HS | Halogen | 600 | Yes | Handheld + sensor/timer | $101 | Amazon JP |
| Yamazen | YHF-HD605E | Halogen | 600 | Yes | Handheld IC + timer/ECO | $118 | Amazon JP |
| Koizumi | KHH-56249 | Quartz | 500 | Yes | On-unit | $86 | Amazon JP |
| Koizumi | KHH-51240 | Quartz | 500 | Yes | Handheld | n/a | Not verified |
| Koizumi | KHH-61240 | Quartz | 600 | Yes | Handheld | $109 | Amazon JP |
EDITOR'S PICKS: The Metro MCU-501E(DKB) (Amazon JP) offers 500W carbon heating for about $88 shipped. For 600W halogen heating, the MHU-601E(DKB) (Amazon JP) is about $89 shipped. Both include a fan and handheld temperature control.
Decoding kotatsu heater model numbers
Metro
Metro's replacement models listed here follow a useful pattern:
- The second letter identifies the element: H = halogen, C = carbon, S = quartz.
- U before the dash indicates a fan. The MS models without U have no fan.
- The first digit after the dash indicates the wattage class: 3 = 300W, 5 = 500W, 6 = 600W.
- The controller suffix is E for a handheld knob or H for an on-unit knob. Position matters: H in MHU means halogen; H after the numbers means on-unit control.
- Adding T to E or H marks a five-hour shutoff timer. The E/ET and H/HT pairs keep the same listed element, wattage, fan, and control location. EC identifies the carbon model's handheld IC controller with timer and ECO functions.
- The letters in parentheses distinguish versions. The listed standard handheld models use (DKB), while the on-unit models use (KB). The carbon model with timer and ECO functions is MCU-501EC(KC).
For example, MHU-601E(DKB) is a 600W halogen heater with a fan and handheld control. MS-303H(KB) is a 300W quartz heater with no fan and an on-unit knob.
Yamazen
Yamazen has several models with the same basic specifications as Metro's. Across the YH, YHF, and NYH series:
- F indicates a fan and can appear before the dash (YHF-M507) or after it (NYH-F510S).
- HD or HDN immediately after the dash identifies halogen; M in that position identifies quartz. The YH and NYH models in the table are also quartz.
- The first digit indicates the wattage class: 3 = 300W, 5 = 500W, 6 = 600W.
- D indicates handheld control and can appear before the digits (NYH-FD600S, YHF-HDN604) or after them (YHF-M607DN).
- E at the end identifies the IC timer/ECO controller in YHF-HD605E and its predecessor, YHF-HD604E.
The paired brands use different numbers for the same basic configuration: Metro's MS-303H pairs with Yamazen's YH-304, and MSU-501H with YHF-M507. A higher number across brands doesn't mean a newer or more powerful heater.
Koizumi
Koizumi's three listed replacement heaters use quartz elements and fans. The first digit after KHH indicates the wattage class: 5 for 500W, 6 for 600W.
Links
- Metro replacement heaters - Standard models and older model numbers.
- Metro Kotatsuru heaters - The timer-equipped range, including the current carbon IC model.
- Yamazen replacement heaters - Current NYH models alongside the YH and YHF range.
- Koizumi replacement heaters - Specifications and links to the other two current units.