Sengoku 150w Under Desk Mini Panel Electric Space Heater, SP-160

I don't know why Amazon.com is using a drawing of a bathroom vanity instead of a photo of this great little heat panel. Visit other sites to see what it really looks like. Photos show it as a grey panel with rounded corners. This is accurate, but what the photos don't show is that the front surface is covered with a soft, felt-like covering which adds to the warmth of this little gem. The back is just metal. It heats up quickly and silently and radiates warmth almost instantly. It would easily fit under a desk. It's hard to believe it only uses 150 watts of electricity. I like this unit better than others I've looked at, since it comes with attachable feet and the on/off switch has a red light to remind you that it's on. The switch and light are on the right side and can be easily seen from the front. I'm very pleased with it. But keep in mind, it's meant to be close to you, and it probably won't help heat up an entire room. Still, the warmth it radiates is impressive.

When I first took it out of the box, I was impressed with the construction. It is very solidly built, and looks like it was built to last (time will tell). I have it sitting under my desk about one inch away from the drop on the face/back of the desk. It keeps my feet warm; just barely. I would say that you would need another 100 watts if you want your feet/legs to be toasty. Still, I am glad I have it. The problems with it: It puts out just as much, if not more heat out of the back as it does the front. This results in the desk being heated and heat radiating out from the desk and away in the wrong direction. Another problem: The on/off switch is located on one end; the end in which the cord comes out. This results (at least in my case, and probably most) in the on/off switch being on the side going toward the plug, that is under/behind the desk, thus on the "wrong side" of the unit, making it more difficult to get to. I literally have to crawl under the desk to turn it on/off. Too, there is a red indicator light built into to the switch that lets you know the power is on. However, it points away from you (as it is in my case) and you can't see it. Therefore, it is very easy to forget that it is on until the next morning when I am back at my desk and realize it was on all night. I finally solved some of my problems when I realized that since just as much heat was coming out of the back, I could turn the unit around and have the back facing me. The cord was just long enough (6 feet) to still reach my plug), although an extension cord could be used. Now I can easily access the on/off switch. This is what it needs: In addition to fixing the aforementioned issues, there should be a timer on it. I have a heated mattress pad that has a timer. Never do I have to worry about it being left on. The fact that it is heating out of the back and heating up the desk, is cause for concern if you forget to turn it off and have left it unattended. One more thing: I suggest when you first get it; plug it in out in the garage and let it run for about 24 hours. There is a strong odor from the oils in the paint and metal that is given off for a considerable length of time. UPDATE 4/9/2014: The reset button keeps turning the unit off. The unit now typically will run anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour and then the unit shuts down. You have to wait until it cools down before turning back on. Pretty much worthless at this point. I will be looking for a different heater before next winter.

I was torn between comparison between the Lasko MyHeat and the Sengoku. I got the Lasko MyHeat last year for my home office and am overall satisfied with it. I needed a similar heater at the office as I often get cold there (I have a drafty window and cold cement floors) and thought I'd bring the Lasko there since its more discreet and try the Sengoku at home. I now use the Sengoku under my desk at home which is against a north facing wall and is typically the coldest room on this side of the house. Just as the Lasko, the Sengoku warms the air under the desk nicely without having to crank up the house thermostat which is in a warm area of the house. However, it takes longer (10-15 min) to warm up fully. Once warmed up, it is about as hot as a food warming tray on medium-low -- you can still barely touch it but you'd rather use potholders. On the coldest nights, I find the Lasko with its extra 50 W puts out that bit of extra heat to make the area around the desk more comfortable. But, the Sengoku is silent whereas the MyHeat has the fan that, while rather quiet (similar to the hum of an old-style computer case cooling fan), still adds a clearly audible hum that can be distracting, IMO. Also, the Lasko dries the air out more because it produces forced heat and you feel the warm air coming from under the desk and drying out the eyes. The Sengoku also has that effect, but less pronounced. Advantages: - Lower power consumption than the Lasko (150 W vs 200 W) - Silent - Less dry air/itchy eyes - Nice warmth for under a desk or a small area -- keeps me comfortable in a 66-68 degree room and will raise room temperature slightly (1-2 degrees after several hours). -the design also allows it to be used as a towel warmer or to dry socks, etc (although the instructions warn against doing so) -Big enough (see disadvantages) that you don't end up tripping over it. The Lasko is the size of a large coffee mug and easy to knock over if you keep it on the floor (and has no safety switch) Disadvantages: -Higher price (The Lasko goes for less than 20 bucks) -The felt backing smells of off-gassing plasticizers for several days -the unit is big (size about 15 in high x 50 in long). That means heat is distributed evenly but also means it may get in the way or look ugly depending on your decor/taste (the color of the felt panel is a dark-ish blue) or draw attention in your office. -a bit too low power for those coldest nights. -slower to warm up. -because it's silent you forget to turn it off. At this price you'd think they could have put in a timer. Conclusion: I'd buy it again, mainly because its quiet, doesn't dry out the eyes. Minus one star for the smell, the somewhat non-inspiring design and lack of a timer/safety switch.

I like the unit- kinda quirky in its own way because it doesn't fall into the traditional category like an oil filled, radiant, or fan forced heater of which I have in abundance in my house. This one fills in the gap when I don't want something too hot, too energy piggish, or flammable close to me. I like the gray felt covering (not blue as shown) on one side and the fact that it does not draw too much energy. Sometimes I sit with the unit on my side (on the bed*) when I am sitting and watching TV. Sometimes I place my feet on either side of the unit to get them warm. The unit never gets to hot to the point where it can burn you, but just hot enough to let you know that its next to you. There is a slight smell associated with it which seems to be abating. I imagine this will go away once the unit becomes fully tempered. It's not bad, but I wouldn't put it next to animals who may be sensitive to vapors at the get go. * probably not the best idea, but I keep an eye on it.

In terms of design, this product is really nice : relatively slim, and discreet - it doesn't take much space, and fits very well under a desk, it's also much better looking that a lot of small-space-heater. And it doesn't make any noise. However, in terms of performance, i wouldn't recommend it: I tried to convince myself that it worked (I have had the mini-panel for 3 months now), but truth is, it doesn't really emit a lot of heat (i use it under my desk, since i spend my day working and my feet are always cold). My feet are literally 2" away from the panel, and I can barely feel the radiating heat. Too bad, because it's a cute object. (Also, the blue is a bit darker than what is shown on the photos).

This unit has been a godsend, since my office is cold like a freezer, and I sit all day (older person as well!) It sits under my desk, and it emits a soft radiant warmth, just a few inches from my knees. I like that there is no fan, no noise, no exposed heat element, no sparks, no fire danger. This unit comes with the feet that allow you to stand it up and move it. It is now my best friend, and allows me to work a full day without having frozen fingers and toes. It is also safe, so I do not need to worry about fire risk, and it is stealthy as my workmates have no idea it is under my desk. I have had the unit a few weeks now, so this is not just a honeymoon period thing.

Okay, I'll start off with the unit died the first day. I got it for under my desk. I have an old style wood desk and it is about 3 foot deep, 3 foot wide, and 3 foot tall. The description says it will heat a 6 foot by 6 foot space. I am assuming that means 8 foot high also as that is the normal ceiling height. SO... I have a 9 square foot space (or 27 cubic feet) that I wanted to be heated by a unit that says it will work for 36 square feet (or 288 cubic feet). Seemed like it would be a perfect solution... but it turned out to be not so much. I plugged it in and was patient. I did not expect hot air to be blowing over me or any such thing. I figured it would gradually warm up over 10 to 20 minutes. After an hour, the only warm spot was still only within a few inches of the heating panel. After about 5 hours, that suddenly stopped too. No warmzies for my toezies. I unplugged it. I let it sit until the next morning when I came back to work in my home office. I plugged it in. Nothing. Nothing at all. I used the power of Amazon Prime and returned it. I got a completely different product that my toes and I are much happier with. The best part about working from home is no shoes. But cold toes? That's a no go.

I purchased this for under my desk in my home office as my feet are always cold. It works “okay” and emits a constant, small, soothing amount of heat, but does not get real warm. I was finding myself pulling it between my legs. Then it felt much warmer. (Heat comes out both sides.) I was sensible when I purchased it knowing that it is only 150 Watts ... there is only so much heat that a unit of that size will throw. What I did next was the "ticket" to total and complete warmth for my feet under my desk! After this purchase, I purchased a heated floor mat. (Foot Warmer – Cozy Toes – 18”W x 19”D x 1/2”H) That floor mat product is excellent and gets very warm. I now use the 2 products together and I’m extremely happy. This heating panel is definitely better than nothing, but If I could recommend one or the other, it would be the floor mat. It emits much more heat directly to the feet. I hope this was helpful! : -)

These heaters are not meant as primary heat for a room, we use them top up heat in cooler areas, they work well and very cheap to run at a tenth of the cost of a regular heater they can be left on in winter. They cannot be too close to a wall as the back is vented and needs air and also gets hot there. The feet are not very strong but do the job and by design prevent it being placed back against a wall, it goes without saying they must not be covered or used to dry clothes or laundry etc. Highly recommend these, and yes they do smell a little for the first week or so of use. I will be buying more in the future. Our current ones are a few years old now and working well still, they get a lot of use.

This heater performs as advertised. With only 150 Watts, it is very gentle heat, so you need to place it close to the feet or legs to feel the warmth. On the up-side, the low wattage means the running cost is negligible and you can plug it into a circuit with other loads with no risk of overloading the circuit. Best for under an enclosed desk. A red light in the switch indicates when it is ON. I bought a plug-in timer to turn it off automatically after an hour, in case I forget.

Works well as described -- providing 150W of localized heat to an area such as under a desk, at a minimal cost to your heating bill. Surface temperature can reach nearly 90C (measured on the front face with an infrared thermometer), but it drops off rapidly even a foot away. Gave off a strong odour the first time I plugged it in, but I left it running on & off for a few hours in a bathroom with an exhaust fan turned on and the odour was far less noticeable after a few days. Of course, each person reacts to smells differently, but the odour definitely does subside over time. Loses one star for flimsy plastic feet (each secured by a single tiny screw). I would expect that a product that has multiple warnings about not placing it flat on the floor would have more sturdy feet to prevent that from happening.

Contrary to lister's claim the surfaces are hot, metal back panel especially. Whereas customers of competing products say they are warm such that chickens snuggle up to them when used in chicken coop. I am disappointed that this product cannot be mounted on a wall, to keep floor clear. The two plastic stand things are not made well, between them and back panel it is difficult to line holes up to insert screws. Hole in stand thing should be larger, but stand overall should be sturdier.

back of heater gets warmer than front, it is hot to the touch. It is fine for heating the under desk cavity given enough time, but it is not a radiant panel but rather a low wattage slim line heater . Seems reasonably well made but very limited in effectiveness. I believe a curling iron mounted under one's desk would give off more heat.