360 Booth Equipment Cost: What You Need and What to Skip

The platform is your biggest cost

The platform is the rotating base that spins around the guest while a camera records from an arm. Motorised platforms are controlled by a remote or app. Prices are listing prices from mostly Asian makers (researched Oct 2026).

An 80 cm platform for 1 to 3 people runs about €540 to €780 ($620 to $900). A 100 cm platform for 1 to 4 people is about €710 to €1,430 ($815 to $1,650). A 115 cm platform for 1 to 5 people is about €870 to €2,700 ($1,000 to $3,100). The spread comes from the case, LED glass, logo and whether the arm is included.

Manual, hand-push platforms exist and are cheaper than motorised ones, but the price data is thin, so check the seller. Manual is harder to keep at a steady speed, and uneven spin shows in the clip. For a paid wedding, most operators choose motorised.

Pick the size by your usual event. An 80 cm platform is fine for solo guests and couples. If you want groups of four or five, go bigger, and remember the platform needs a clear 3 by 3 m area.

A phone or tablet as the camera

You do not need a cinema camera. A recent phone shoots sharp slow-motion video and is easy to mount. A used phone costs about €175 to €350 ($200 to $400), and a new mid to high model costs about €520 to €950 ($600 to $1,100).

A tablet works too, and its larger screen helps the attendant. Whatever you choose, buy enough storage for a full day of clips, and keep it charged. Slow-motion recording drains the battery fast.

Dedicate the device to the booth. Notifications, updates and a full camera roll cause problems during an event, so keep it clean.

Bring a spare charging cable and a power bank. A phone that dies halfway through a reception is a common failure, and it is cheap to prevent.

Lights, stand and cases

A rotating camera sees every angle, so light matters more here than in a normal booth. A ring light or softbox costs about €70 to €175 ($80 to $200), and a lean lighting setup is about €85 to €260 ($100 to $300). Start with one or two lights.

A tripod, booth stand or phone arm adds about €70 to €175 ($80 to $200). A road case or padded bag for the platform is about €85 to €435 ($100 to $500). Power strips, cords and a small cart add roughly €45 to €130 ($50 to $150).

Do not buy the cheapest case. The platform is the part that breaks in a boot, and a broken platform means a cancelled event.

Buy from a seller who answers questions and ships a spare remote. If the platform stops on a Saturday evening, you need help that day, not next week.

Backdrop and props

A 360 booth shows the room around the guest, so a backdrop is optional. Where the venue is ugly or cluttered, a backdrop and stand cost about €85 to €350 ($100 to $400). A prop kit adds about €85 to €260 ($100 to $300).

Props matter less here than in a classic photo booth. Guests spin, wave and pose with their friends. A few sunglasses, signs and a feather boa are enough to start.

Spend on the upgrade guests notice first: a clean backdrop or floor look for corporate clients. For weddings, a simple neutral look usually films better than loud colours.

Test everything at home first. Run a full spin with a friend, check the framing, and watch the clip on a bigger screen than the phone.

Three starter kits and what to skip

Adding the parts above gives rough totals. Budget: 80 cm platform, used phone, one ring light, a tripod, a bag and a few props, about €950 to €1,400 ($1,100 to $1,600). Mid: 100 cm platform with case, used phone or tablet, two lights, a stand, a backdrop and props, about €1,700 to €2,500 ($1,950 to $2,900). Pro: 115 cm platform with a flight case, a new device, lights, backdrop, props and spares, about €3,400 to €5,200 ($3,900 to $6,000).

These totals leave out insurance, business registration, transport, marketing and software subscriptions. Published startup totals for any booth type run higher, from $3,000 to $15,000, because they include vehicles and extras. All of it depends on your market and on new versus used.

Skip a printer, a second booth, branded cases and a van for now. Skip spare gear until you have run five paid events. Check the rules where you operate. Venues and insurers may have requirements for equipment, so ask before you spend on anything large.