Best Android App Emulator for Windows

An Android app emulator for Windows lets you try out new applications or test drive applications on your PC. You may have tried experimenting with such an application that comes bundled with the software development kit. But there are third-party apps that offer the best simulation experience.
An emulator is used to test an application in a simulated environment to see if it can perform really well in the actual device. Besides testing out an app, it also lets you try out new applications launched on Google Play.
Third-party Android emulators run the latest games or allow budding developers to experiment with their brand new app. There are quite a few applications that allow users to run latest software and games effortlessly. Here’s a rundown of some of the best app players:

BlueStacks is one of the top emulators that allow you to try out new mobile apps on your PC. It runs old as well as new apps launched on Google Play. You can try out your own apps, but make sure it has an “.apk” extension. All you have to do is right-click on your apk file and select the app player to test it out.
There was a time when BlueStacks could run only a handful of apps, but new enhancements have now turned it into a complete emulator. You can now run almost any application or game effortlessly. However, you may experience slow frame-rates while playing 3D games. The app player has a nifty search option where you can type in the app name, click on the search result and wait for the app to install completely.
The app player also lets you tweak and manage installed apps. You can change the app size (tablet, large phone or default), uninstall apps or add an onscreen keyboard. There’s also an option to sync your device with this app player for smooth app synchronization between your phone/tablet and PC.
The best part of the application player is its interface. I found it very simple and clutter-free. I could easily find my installed apps via a menu enlisting all applications horizontally. There’s also a vertical sidebar that suggests new apps for us to download. BlueStacks is still in beta mode and is available free, but it may turn into a paid app in the future.

Jar of Beans is a new user-developed emulator that’s doing the rounds at the moment. Developed by “UnrealManu”, the app player runs all apps and games supported by Android Jelly Bean devices. The best part of this app is that games that require hardware graphics acceleration run smoothly on this emulator.
Jar of Beans is second best to BlueStacks when it comes to emulating apps and games. It can play games on Full-screen and can automatically switch to “tablet mode” for Android tablet-supported games. There are plenty of settings which can help you customize your gameplay and app usage experience. It offers a wide range of configuration options, including different viewing modes, a virtual SD card and keyboard support. In future versions, the emulator will boast multiple resolutions and skins.
Jar of Beans can also double up as an app-testing sandbox. You can easily test your apps without requiring a real device. You can create your apk files and install it to your emulator. It has a special button that lets you to import your apk files stored on your computer. Since it allows custom settings, you can easily tweak options according to your app preferences and can even create a virtual SD card of any size you want. A must-download Android emulator for your PC!