Great photo booth hardware is reliable, good value, well-supported, broadly compatible, and fast. This guide covers what we recommend for an ideal setup.
We don't recommend a specific booth shell since that's largely an aesthetic choice, but we do recommend reading reviews from other operators before buying. The Photo Booth Community group on Facebook is a good place to find them.
We don't receive payment for these recommendations and don't use affiliate links.
Quick Start: Just Tell Me What to Buy
If you want a simple shopping list without the details:
iPad: iPad Pro 13" (or iPad Air 13" to save money)
USB-C Hub: Dockteck 7-in-1
Charger: Anker 65W
Printer: DNP QW410 with a mini-PC running Print.Events
Camera: Canon R100
Microphone: SYNCO G2(A2) Wireless Lavalier
Read on for the reasoning behind each recommendation.
iPad / iPhone
iPad / iPhone
Our app runs on any iPad or iPhone with iOS 17.2 or newer. To check your version, open Settings > General > About. Here are instructions from Apple on how to update your iOS version.
Our top recommendation: The iPad Pro 13". For a slightly cheaper option, the iPad Air 13".
We recommend any iPad that:
Has an M-series processor (so your iPad stays supported longer as Apple updates iOS)
Is at least 11 inches. Bigger is better!
Has USB-C
Has 4GB of RAM or more (this iosref page shows RAM and processor by model)
Has a 12MP front camera (see this iosref page for which models have it)
Has Face ID (not required, but recommended for SceneSelect precision. Currently only available on iPad Pro)
We recommend iOS 18 at this time. We also support iOS 26, but make sure you update to 26.1 or newer. Version 26.0 has known issues.
USB-C lets you use a hub to add ethernet for printing, connect a USB camera, and keep the iPad powered, all at once.
Storage isn't as important as you'd think. If the iPad is dedicated to Booth.Events, 128GB is ideal, but 64GB works fine.
Do not use the iPad 9th generation. It only has 3GB of RAM, which causes slowness and issues.
Do not use the iPad 9th generation. It only has 3GB of RAM, which causes slowness and issues.
We will not be releasing an Android or Windows app. We know this question comes up a lot, but it's not something we're going to do.
USB-C Hub
USB-C Hub
We recommend the Dockteck 7-in-1 hub. It includes ethernet, HDMI (to mirror the iPad to a TV), two USB ports (one for the camera, one for the printer), USB-C power passthrough to charge the iPad, and extras like an SD card reader.
iPads are picky about USB-C hubs. The Dockteck works reliably. We've used several and never had connection issues, though they can run slightly warm while charging.
Charger
Charger
Do not use the charger that comes with the iPad when using a USB-C hub. It won't provide enough power and the iPad won't charge.
Use at least a 40W charger. We recommend 65W. The Anker chargers (easily available on Amazon) are our go-to.
Printer
Printer
We recommend the DNP QW410 paired with a cheap mini-PC running Print.Events. Check out the video on the Print.Events page for setup details.
For the PC, you can go with any cheap mini-PC that suits your needs, but we recommend getting one with at least 8GB of RAM. We have seen an interesting mini-PC that has a small touchscreen built right into the computer itself, which is really handy. You can easily see what's going on with the PC and even just touch the screen if Windows suddenly asks you about OneDrive again. We don't have one, but this is the one we saw in the field.
We love the QW410 because it's lightweight, portable, and fast. One limitation: it can't print two 2x6 strips from a single 4x6 print. If you need 2x6 strips, the most popular alternative is the DNP DS620.
You'll need to connect the printer to the iPad over a network. We recommend wired ethernet. See Connecting your Printer, iPad, and internet all together for details.
In Canada? We recommend getting your printer gear from Continent Wide.
Camera
Camera
We recommend the Canon R100. If you can still find one, the Canon M50 is also excellent.
Both cameras are fast for tethered use (which is how photo booth apps control the camera), have accurate autofocus, produce good image quality, include a hot-shoe for flash sync, and offer great value.
Not all cameras support high-framerate video while tethered, which Booth.Events uses for slow-mos and boomerangs. The R100 and M50 both do.
Microphone (for Video Testimonials)
Microphone (for Video Testimonials)
When using a connected camera, the microphone must plug into the camera's mic input. We recommend the SYNCO Wireless Lavalier Microphone G2(A2), available from Amazon. It's a more affordable alternative to the popular Rode wireless setup (though the Rode is even better if budget allows).
When you're not using a connected camera, you can connect a microphone to the iPad via Bluetooth.
Photo Booth Shell
Photo Booth Shell
Choose the one that looks best to you, but pay attention to:
How easy is it to set up and take down?
How heavy is it?
How easy is it to remove the iPad when you need to?
Our favorites (in no particular order):