China's 40cm 'mini-end' living units with tiny bed, TV and Rs 90 rent go viral: 'Coffin has more room'

Although the living unit was equipped with a TV, it was so narrow that the deice had to be fixed sideways to fit. (Image credit: Justin_Godfrey/Reddit)

A video showcasing a 40 cm-wide rental unit in China has gone viral, igniting debate over extreme housing solutions. The “mini-end” unit, which costs just one dollar (about Rs 90) per day, offers little more than a narrow bed, a power outlet, and a wall-mounted TV—installed sideways due to the cramped space.

The clip, circulating on social media and Reddit, shows the unit’s claustrophobic design. The narrator demonstrates that the space is so tight that a person must enter sideways. “The biggest flaw? If you want to hang yourself, it’s not tall enough,” the narrator jokes darkly.

Despite its minimalism, the unit includes a TV—though even that had to be fixed sideways to fit. The video has sparked a mix of humor and concern, with one Reddit user quipping: “This is worse than what I provide my prisoners in Prison Architect.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabruu.com (@gabruuofficial)

Reactions online: From shock to shrugs 

Although Moneycontrol could not independently verify the video, comments on Reddit range from disbelief to resignation. “A coffin has more room,” one user wrote. Another recalled similar setups in immigrant housing: “We found evidence people lived in sheds and even under stairs. It was claustrophobic.” Others compared the concept to Japan’s capsule hotels, noting: “At least those are spotless and not absolutely filthy.”

Some users even expressed interest in the idea—if executed better. “I honestly wish more hotels had this option, just less narrow and less dirty. Most of the time I just need a locked door to sleep behind,” one comment read.

Parallels drawn to Japan's capsule hotel

While China’s “mini-end” units have drawn criticism, the concept of ultra-compact living isn’t new. Capsule hotels, first popularised in Japan in 1979 with Capsule Inn Osaka, offer stacked pods equipped with charging points, Wi-Fi, and ventilation controls. High-end versions now feature Hypnos mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets, and ambient lighting. The trend has spread globally, with London’s Zedwell boasting 1,000 soundproofed pods starting at £30 (about Rs 3,500) a night, National Geographic reported.

Symbol of housing pressure

The viral video highlights growing concerns over housing affordability and urban crowding in China. As one user summed up: “Depressing, but not surprising.”