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Which Photo Booth Is Right for Your Event? A Complete Comparison

"Photo booth" now covers everything from a compact selfie pod to a spinning 360 video rig to a full-length magic mirror. They photograph differently, take up different amounts of space, and suit very different events — so the right choice depends on your venue, your guest count and the feel you're after. This guide compares every type, side by side, so you can pick with confidence.

The quick answer

If you want the short version:

Tight on space or want an all-rounder? A selfie pod.
Want social-media video your guests will share? A 360 video booth.
Glamorous, dressed-up event? A magic mirror.
Classic, traditional or barn wedding? A vintage or enclosed booth.
Want to include shy or seated guests? A roaming booth.
A children's party? A kids' selfie pod or inflatable booth.

Read on for how they actually compare.

At a glance

Booth	Output	Space needed	Best for
Selfie pod	Prints + digital	Smallest (about a standing adult)	Any event; tight venues; high throughput
360 video booth	Slow-motion video	Large (clear circle for the arm)	Social-first crowds; weddings; parties
Magic mirror	Prints + digital	Medium	Glam weddings; galas; milestone parties
Vintage / enclosed	Prints + digital	Medium–large	Classic weddings; traditional events
Party booth	Prints + digital	Medium	High-energy parties; 18ths and 21sts
Roaming booth	Digital	None (comes to guests)	Receptions; seated guests; mingling
GlamBot	Cinematic video	Large	Galas; awards; red-carpet entrances
Kids' selfie pod	Prints + digital	Small	Children's parties

The all-rounder: selfie pod

The selfie pod is the most-booked booth for good reason. It's a slim, stand-up tower about the size of a standing adult, so it fits almost anywhere, and it's fast — instant prints plus digital sharing keep a long queue moving. If you're unsure, this is the safe choice for any event. Read more: what is a selfie pod?

The social showstopper: 360 video booth

The 360 video booth captures slow-motion video as a camera arm sweeps around guests on a platform. The clips are built for Instagram and TikTok, so it's the standout for social-first crowds — but it needs clear floor space for the arm to swing and a bit of ceiling height. Best as a feature piece rather than your only booth at a big event. Read more: what is a 360 photo booth?

The glamorous one: magic mirror

The magic mirror is a full-length, interactive mirror with animations and on-screen signing. It photographs beautifully and reads as premium, so it suits glam weddings, galas and dressed-up milestone parties. Read more: what is a magic mirror photo booth?

The classic: vintage and enclosed booths

The oval enclosed booth is the traditional "step inside and pull the curtain" booth, for a private, nostalgic feel. The vintage booth is an open-style, characterful wooden booth that looks like a piece of designer furniture, and the retro pod is a stylish open pod used with a statement backdrop. All three suit classic and barn weddings and anyone who wants a booth with real character. They need a bit more space than a selfie pod. Read more: what is a vintage photo booth?

A 360 video booth set up at a luxury venue with Edison lights

Match the booth to the event

The right pick changes with what you're celebrating.

For weddings

A magic mirror or vintage booth for the classic look, often paired with a 360 booth for the evening party. A roaming booth is great for the drinks reception.

For 18ths, 21sts and high-energy parties

A 360 video booth and a party booth for the social clips and dance-floor energy.

For corporate events

A branded selfie pod (twin pods for big headcounts) or a 360 booth for shareable, on-brand content; a GlamBot for awards and galas.

For children's parties

A kids' selfie pod or an inflatable booth — simple, colourful and built for younger guests.

Prints, video or both?

One key distinction: printed booths (selfie pod, magic mirror, vintage, party booth) send guests home with a physical keepsake. Video booths (360, GlamBot) produce shareable clips but not prints. The roaming booth is digital-only. Many events pair a printed booth with a video booth to get both.

How to choose, step by step

Start with your space
A pod fits anywhere; a 360 booth and GlamBot need clear floor space and ceiling height. Measure your venue before you choose.
Think about your guest count
For big events, pick a high-throughput pod (or twin pods) so 200+ guests aren't queuing for one slow experience.
Decide prints vs video
Want a keepsake guests take home? Choose a printing booth. Want shareable social clips? Choose a 360 or GlamBot. Or pair both.
Match the vibe
Glam mirror for dressed-up events, vintage for classic, party booth for high-energy, 360 for social-first crowds.
Budget for the priority
Put your spend into the one experience that fits the event best, rather than splitting it across several that don't quite suit.
Still not sure? Ask
Tell us your venue, guest count and the feel you want, and we'll recommend the right booth and give you a fast quote.

Common mistakes when choosing a booth

Booking a 360 for a tiny venue. It needs clear space for the arm. Check the dimensions before you fall in love with it.
One slow booth for a huge party. A single enclosed booth can't serve 300 people. Pick a high-throughput pod or add a second experience.
All video, no prints (or vice versa). Decide whether guests should leave with a physical keepsake or shareable clips — or pair a printing booth with a video one.
Ignoring the vibe. A party booth at a black-tie gala, or a glam mirror at a kids' party, is a mismatch. Match the booth to the event's feel.

Still deciding? We'll help

We run every booth in this comparison across Surrey, London and the South East, at weddings, parties, corporate events and more. Tell us your venue, your guest count and the feel you're after, and we'll recommend the right one — no upselling.

Get a fast, free quote and we'll match a booth to your event.

Selfie pod — the compact all-rounder
Magic mirror — full-length and glamorous
360 video booth — slow-motion social clips
Vintage booth — the classic enclosed experience

The bottom line

There's no single "best" photo booth — only the best one for your event. Start with your space and guest count, decide whether you want prints or shareable video, and match the style to the occasion. A selfie pod is the safe all-rounder; a 360 wins on social; a magic mirror brings the glamour; a vintage booth brings the classic charm.

Tell us what you're planning and we'll point you to the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of photo booth?

There's no single best booth — it depends on your event. A selfie pod is the compact, fast all-rounder that suits almost anything; a 360 video booth wins for social-media clips; a magic mirror suits glamorous, dressed-up events; and a vintage or enclosed booth suits classic weddings. Match the booth to your space, guest count and the feel you want.

What's the difference between a selfie pod and a 360 booth?

A selfie pod is a compact, stand-up booth that takes photos and prints them on the spot — fast and space-efficient. A 360 booth captures slow-motion video as a camera arm spins around guests on a platform — great for social media, but it needs much more floor space and produces clips rather than prints. Many events hire both.

Which photo booth is best for a wedding?

A magic mirror or vintage booth for the classic, glamorous look, often paired with a 360 video booth for the evening party. A roaming booth works well during the drinks reception. The right mix depends on your venue and how dressed-up the day is.

Do all photo booths print photos?

No. Printing booths — selfie pods, magic mirrors, vintage and party booths — give guests a physical print plus digital copies. Video booths like the 360 and GlamBot produce shareable clips but not prints, and a roaming booth is digital-only. If a printed keepsake matters, choose a printing booth or pair one with a video booth.

How much space does a photo booth need?

It varies a lot. A selfie pod needs only about the floor space of a standing adult plus room to pose. A 360 booth and a GlamBot need a clear area for the camera arm and some ceiling height. A roaming booth needs no fixed space at all. Always check your venue's dimensions before choosing.

Can you help me choose the right booth?

Yes — just tell us your venue, your guest count and the feel you're after, and we'll recommend the booth that fits and give you a fast, free quote. We run every type across Surrey, London and the South East, so the advice is about what suits your event, not what we want to sell.