Before releasing an app, it has to be tested properly. For users, phones may become slow and destroy their app experience. In such cases, both developers and users can use the Android emulators. While developers can test their apps on a bigger screen, regular end users can enjoy Android apps on computers that have a high-end configuration.
Android Emulators for Windows 11/10
This post lists three of the best Android emulators for Windows 11/10/8/7 PC that can be used by both developers and regular users of the Android operating system.
1] Bluestacks Emulator
We had covered Bluestacks Android Emulator earlier when it was just a concept. Four years later, it is the most preferred Android emulator for Windows computers. It takes a while to install, so you have to be patient. It installs a special service that you can see in Windows Services and the Task Manager. That is to say that once installed; it will be running continuously in the background. But I did not notice any slowdown in speed for my other (Windows-based) applications like Word etc. The emulator creates a new library called Apps. You can access this from your list of libraries. The apps you download, appear here. You can run the apps directly by clicking on them or by launching the emulator and then selecting the apps. While playing games, you can go full screen and back using a double-headed arrow icon. The only drawback is that it is a bit slow to start. It took almost 10 minutes for the first run. But once started, the games go smoothly. There are other problems such as promotions of Android apps and push notifications from the makers of this emulator. Also, it won’t show you all features of an Android phone as other emulators do – such as settings, etc. It just serves as an Android app launcher.
2] LDPlayer Emulator
LDPlayer is one of the best Android emulators you can have on PC. The emulator works on Intel, or AMD powered computers, offers game optimization, supports keyboard and mouse, and more. All this makes the emulator stand out and turn your PC into an Android gaming system. LDPlayer comes in two flavors, one which supports Android 7.1, and the second supports Android 5.1. So, if you have old games that the latest version of Android is not supporting, LDPlayer has got you covered.
3] Andy Android Emulator
There is good competition between Andy and Bluestacks. The features of the Android phone are absent in the latter due to which, some people prefer Andy as it gives you a complete look of the Android phone. Read our review of Andy Emulator on The Windows Club. This serves a better purpose for developers who wish to test their applications on a wider screen. And it also makes it fun for the regular Android apps users by making their apps run faster and smoother. Read: Best Sega Dreamcast Emulators for Windows PC.
4] Genymotion Android Emulator
This seems as if built upon the faults of Bluestacks – to eliminate them. Though there is a regular Android SDK that most developers use, I won’t mention it here as it requires much technical knowledge to configure and use it. Coming to Genymotion, it is focused on the developers but is much easier to use compared to standard Android SDK. It is faster compared to Bluestacks and does not have the problem of installing random applications. Genymotion also provides you all the features of an Android phone and hence may be preferred to regular Android SDK for Windows. Genymotion also keeps on running in the background but is not heavy on resources. While most features are present in the paid versions, the free download still allows you to test Android apps and use them on Windows PC. It is, however, not free.
5] Nox Player
Nox Player is another awesome free Android Emulator for Windows PC to play games like Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile or Ragnarok M Eternal Love by having a bigger screen and full support over your keyboard or controller. If you have a decent PC rig, you will be able to tweak CPU, RAM, switch between DirectX and Open GL graphics. All this delivers an experience as if the Android was built for Windows. AMIDuOS, Droid4x, Windroy and Xamarin Android Player are some of the other Android Emulators for Windows 11/10 that are available. The above are the best Android emulators for Windows according to me. If you have different views or wish to add to the list, please comment. Go here if you are looking for iOS Simulators & Emulators for Windows PC.
