There are various Android emulators for low-spec devices, but not all of them are suitable for running on PCs due to the resources they require. Most emulators are resource-hungry virtual programs, which can cause older PCs to become unresponsive.

Android emulators are designed to run Android apps on desktop PCs or laptops, providing an opportunity to use them with a keyboard and mouse. The ultimate goal of these emulators is to offer an optimal, fast, and smooth user experience on very low-spec devices, as if you were using your Android phone – and sometimes, even better.

In most cases, Android emulators are not just used to run apps on desktop PCs. The main purpose is to play the most popular Android games and enjoy them on a larger screen. In this article, we will highlight the best Android emulator for PCs with low-spec hardware for 2023, which allows you to download the lightest and fastest emulator that can run on modest hardware. It supports Windows 7 up to the latest version, Windows 10, and works on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.

Best Android Emulators for PCs with Low-Spec Hardware

ldplayer 65623 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

1. LDPlayer – The Best Android Emulator for Low-Spec Devices

LDPlayer is one of the most recommended Android emulators for low-spec PCs, as it requires very minimal resources to run. Despite this, it delivers fast and smooth performance, offering a flawless user experience. Some of the key features of the LDPlayer emulator include full control via keyboard and mouse, high-speed performance, and compatibility with countless apps and the best Android games. Additionally, it can run multiple games simultaneously.

You’ll be able to play games like PUBG Mobile and many other powerful Android games on your PC screen. To achieve the best graphic quality in your favorite games, you should set the emulator settings to the highest display resolution and determine the CPU and RAM from the settings.

System Requirements for LDPlayer:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 support
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM / 4GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 36GB
  • File Size: 431MB

leapdroid 68701 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

2. Leapdroid – Android Emulator for Windows 7

Leapdroid, despite being a newcomer in this field, has numerous advantages that make it top our list of the fastest Android emulator for low-spec PCs. Notably, Leapdroid is lightweight, smooth, and incredibly fast on low-spec PCs, capable of running a massive number of apps ranging from social media apps to multiple games at the same time. It’s compatible with all Android applications, so you won’t encounter any problems running all your favorite Android apps on your desktop.

It’s worth mentioning that this emulator is completely free to use. The only downside is that it may take a long time to launch a game for the first time, but its in-game performance is extremely fast and smooth, even faster than the famous BlueStacks emulator. You’ll find all the buttons on the sides and bottom of the main interface to help you execute many essential functions while playing games, such as taking a screenshot or downloading APK files onto your PC, and more.

System Requirements for Leapdroid:

  • Operating System: Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.1 support
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 2GB
  • File Size: 271MB

AMIDuOS PRO windows 96898 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

3. AMIDuOS

AMIDuOS is a lightweight Android emulator with an intuitive interface supporting multi-touch. Its system requirements are modest, with the only downside being that it requires an Intel processor. Aside from that, it only needs 2GB of RAM and works on all old and new operating systems.

In fact, this emulator is specifically designed for tablet PCs due to its touch support. Nevertheless, it works on all desktop devices normally, providing an ideal experience while relying on a keyboard and mouse. With it, you can long-press for drag-and-scroll between screens to reach the settings menu.

The best part is that you can customize keyboard buttons for controls such as hitting, dragging, and tilting. Additionally, AMIDuOS allows you to share files between Windows and Android through shared folders. For example, you can use a picture from a Windows folder as your main screen background on the emulator.

System Requirements for AMIDuOS:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel x86
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 3.0 support
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM / 3GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 2GB
  • File Size: 226MB

andyroid 10597 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

4. Andy – The Lightest Android Emulator for PC

Andy emulator not only supports older operating systems, but it also supports some Linux distributions, allowing all users to enjoy an Android experience on desktop devices for smoother and more flexible performance, not being confined to working on a small phone screen.

The best thing is that you can control it through your smartphone via a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. Unfortunately, Andy faced many problems when it was still in its early development stage, but now it’s one of the lightest, most stable Android emulators that exceptionally support low-spec PCs.

It boasts a simple user interface and has a unique feature unlike any other emulator – you are not forced to run it in full-screen mode or a fixed-size window as it allows you the ability to quickly change the window size and the app that is running will adjust accordingly. Besides, it emulates multi-touch, so you can click and tilt the screen as if you were using an Android tablet.

System Requirements for Andy:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8.1, Ubuntu 14.04, or Mac OSX 10.8
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual-core
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.1 support
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 1GB RAM / 3GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 10GB
  • File Size: 871MB

bluestacks 80275 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

5. Bluestacks 4 – Fast Android Emulator

Bluestacks 4 is indeed a well-known and widely famous Android emulator. In most cases, it is recommended as the best Android emulator that provides support and capability to run all old and new Android applications and games and benefit from a working and gaming experience that is speedy and smooth and can’t be rivaled by any other emulator. Despite this, it requires very simple specifications and works perfectly on all low-spec PCs.

You can simply consider it one of the best and fastest Android emulators, the most popular and widely used, and the best thing is that it receives continuous support from the developers, so it is very difficult for you to face any problem while using it.

The emulator is specially designed for players and is way better in many stages than the previous version in terms of performance speed and getting rid of lag during games. The best thing is that it allows you to set keyboard buttons and customize them to perform tasks in games very easily, and of course, you can use the mouse to fire.

System Requirements for Bluestacks 4:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 3.0 support or higher
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 5GB
  • File Size: 452MB

Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

6. Droid4x – A Lightweight Android Emulator Requiring 1GB RAM

Unfortunately, the Droid4x emulator does not support various operating systems like Linux and Mac, as the Andy emulator does, but at least it is compatible with all Windows operating systems, thus making it one of the best Android emulators for low-spec PCs and older tablets.

The best part is that it supports additional functions, allowing you to control the emulator interface on the desktop through your smartphone. In other words, for example, you can run a game on the emulator on the PC but control it through your smartphone instead of the keyboard and mouse.

This feature is greatly favored by most players looking for a big play screen but with control from the phone only. The only problem you might face with it is that if the PC goes into idle mode, you will have to restart the emulator, but on the positive side, it is a very fast emulator and provides a smooth and fast gaming experience for all popular Android game titles.

System Requirements for Droid4x:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual-core
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 support or higher
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 1GB RAM / 4GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 4GB
  • File Size: 8MB

genymotion 55408 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

7. Genymotion – A 2GB RAM Android Emulator

While there are many Android emulators available, Genymotion is one of the best, trusted by over 2 million users worldwide. This is primarily due to its speed, smooth performance, lightness, and modest system requirements. It will allow you to run all Android applications and games on your PC, whether you have an Intel or AMD processor, and with a RAM not exceeding 2GB.

Genymotion supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Mac. It also supports easy and fast application installation by merely dragging and dropping the application into the emulator’s interface. The only downside is that the paid version is quite expensive, and you need to create an account before you can use it or even download it. It also doesn’t support running applications in full-screen mode in FHD.

System Requirements for Genymotion:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD with 64-bit architecture
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 support or higher
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 2GB
  • File Size: 117MB

memuplay 14021 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

8. MEmu Emulator

MEmu emulator is characterized by an intuitive main interface, and you can easily navigate through the emulator using the mouse and keyboard. You will find a list on the right side containing a set of elements that you can use to set keyboard shortcuts for in-game tasks, full-screen mode options, and installing APK files with a single button click.

MEmu is known for its speed, low resource consumption, and its ability to run all Android applications and games. Whether you need an emulator to run Android applications on a large screen or want to enjoy modern Android gaming experience on a large screen while benefiting from the ease of controlling with the keyboard and mouse, MEmu is an emulator you should try immediately.

The best part is that you can set individual keyboard keys for MOBA or FPS games. And even if you encounter any issues while using it, you can simply go to the emulator’s official page where there’s a full community ready to hear your problem and solve it instantly.

System Requirements for MEmu:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual-core
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 support or higher
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 2GB
  • File Size: 117MB

Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

9. NoxPlayer Emulator

NoxPlayer is the most famous emulator for players because of its ability to support running Android games smoothly and swiftly unlike any other Android emulator. The emulator is incredibly light and fast, with an excellent user interface that players love. There are many tools that allow you to customize the keyboard and mouse for enjoying the Android gaming experience as if you were playing a video game on your personal device.

You’ll find many tools and control elements on the right side of the main interface that help you access many features to adjust the emulator’s operation in exactly the way you want. In short, this is the best emulator for Android players.

System Requirements for NoxPlayer:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual-core
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 support or higher
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 1.5GB RAM / 4GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 1.5GB
  • File Size: 310MB

Tencent Gaming Buddy 59483 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

10. Tencent Gaming Buddy

Tencent Gaming Buddy is essentially an Android engine developed by the famous Chinese company Tencent, responsible for one of the strongest and most famous Android games “PUBG”. This means that if you encounter any problem in its use, you will find continuous support from the developers to help you solve it. Besides, it’s an ideal Android engine to run all games smoothly and quickly.

The Tencent emulator is integrated with Nimo TV, a global video games broadcasting platform. Apart from the basic control elements, which will require some time for you to adjust, there are also many other configuration options such as pressing or holding a shortcut key and keys to quickly hide the window on the PC screen.

System Requirements for Tencent Gaming Buddy:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD Dual-core
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 3.0 support
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 3GB RAM / 8GB RAM (Recommended)
  • Storage: 6GB
  • File Size: 311MB

youwave 50858 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

11. YouWave

If you’re looking for the best Android emulator for weak PCs, so it doesn’t consume your PC’s resources, you’re looking at the best light emulator for Windows-based PCs. YouWave’s requirements are very simple, and it works smoothly on all old and modest PCs with weak hardware. Of course, it may not be as famous and magnificent as other famous emulators like BlueStacks, but it does a great job and might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Despite its problem with annoying ads, it allows you to download all your favorite applications and games from all stores, whether the official store or external stores. The emulator allows you to save your progress in games and includes various control buttons, including volume up and down buttons.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s not as strong as other emulators in terms of settings and customization options, but it contains the most essential options that any user may need while using Android applications and playing games on a personal PC.

System Requirements for YouWave:

  • Operating System: Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32-bit/64-bit for the paid version)
  • Processor: Intel/AMD
  • Random Access Memory (RAM): 2GB RAM
  • Storage: 500MB
  • File Size: 452MB

gameloop 49156 Lightest Fast Android Emulator for PC Windows

12. Gameloop Emulator

Even though numerous Android emulators appear to be similar at first glance, there are some unique features in the Gameloop emulator that make us recommend it over others. First, the Gameloop emulator is originally the Tencent Buddy emulator that is renowned for its very low requirements and a massive user base, possibly exceeding 50 million users. You can depend on this emulator to run all your favorite Android games, including popular titles such as PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, Arena Of Valor, and many others.

The distinguishing characteristics of Gameloop are its rapid response, smooth performance, ease of use, and numerous manual control and tuning settings. These features enable users to maximize the use of the emulator in line with their personal needs and requirements.

For instance, you can modify the screen display mode, utilize root privileges, activate edge smoothing features, set different display resolutions, or adjust a specific amount of RAM and a specific number of cores that the emulator can use while running games. These are merely simple examples from a larger set of settings that you can manually adjust in the emulator.

If all that is not convincing enough, you can even record the screen, capture screenshots, set a specific path of your choice to save them, or even live stream your games online.

System Requirements for Gameloop:

  • Windows 7 or higher PC system
  • Intel or AMD dual-core processor
  • Graphics card supporting OpenGL 3.0 or newer
  • At least 3GB of RAM, or 8GB as a recommended capacity
  • At least 1GB of free storage space

Can Android Emulators Be Run On Weak PCs?

While it’s known that emulators, also known as Android emulators, consume a lot of PC resources, they can also run on weak PCs thanks to the semi-virtual runtime environment in which they operate. Therefore, it’s straightforward to run these emulators on PCs with very modest hardware specifications.

The only problem is that emulators are designed differently, meaning that some emulators may require very advanced specifications while others may suffice with very modest specifications.

If you’re searching for an Android emulator to run Android games on your PC, we recommend trying BlueStacks and Nox Player. If you’re a developer looking for an Android emulator that provides the best environment for testing all games on the PC, it’s better to rely on the LD Player emulator or try Genymotion. Ultimately, regardless of your device’s hardware specifications, you will likely find several suitable options.

Tips Before Using an Android Emulator for Weak Devices

It’s easy to find a large number of Android emulators suitable for old and very weak PCs. In most cases, you’ll feel that most emulators are similar in features and recommended requirements for operation. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental differences between each emulator that you should know before using it. Regardless of the type of emulator you prefer to use, there are some essential points that you should consider before using any of them:

  • Ensure that the emulator is not resource-hungry. It should not require more than a dual-core CPU, a modest graphics card, a low capacity of RAM, and simple empty storage space. If it’s clear that it’s excessively resource-hungry, you’ll likely have a very bad experience with it, especially if your PC has modest hardware.
  • Be aware that most of the emulators mentioned in this article have a limited number of features compared to more advanced emulators.
  • The easier the emulator is to use, the better it is for beginner users.
  • Be sure that most of these emulators will not be able to run some resource-hungry game titles.