If you are new to custom ROMs and Android devices then let us give you a bit of brief. Generally, Android devices come with a UI and Operating System, that particular model is known as Stock ROM. Usually, these stock ROM can have limited functionality, and hence to enhance the functionality of the device and get better performance of your device you can install Custom ROM. It is one of the biggest advantages of being an Android user. You can change the ROM if you don’t like the UI or performance of the stock ROM.
A custom ROM is made by a group of developers who are not officially authorized by the company to make an operating system for the device. Talking about these developers, they only work on the device which is popular so more and more people can be benefited. If you are having an Android Device and is kind of bored with the performance of the device then you can try installing different custom ROMs. Today we are going to talk about the best of the custom ROMs which are available in the market, do note that these ROMs are subject to availability based on the devices.
Note: Before selecting a new ROM for your Android device, make sure you need to unlock the bootloader of your Android device and to install CWM or TWRP recoveries. This process voids the device warranty and you will not able to claim for the company protection warranty. Also, make sure to take a complete backup of your device before going to install ROM on your device. If you are unaware of unlocking bootloader, please read our detailed guide on unlocking bootloader advantages and disadvantages.
Best Custom ROM’s for Android Devices
1. LineageOS
If you have been in the industry of rooting and custom Roms then you must be knowing about CyanogenMod, which his now known popularly as Lineage OS. This is the most near – to stock ROM custom device which has additional functionality and comes for devices which are based on heavy custom UI. The support is limited, but it does have a really low amount of bugs on the final releases.
After the discontinuity announcement made by CyanogenMod, the developers working for CyanogenMod community started a new ROM by using the CyanogenMod files and new custom code with detailed modification. It is one of the biggest community and supports over 190 devices. Also, it has a great community of developers and users to get interact with each other. LineageOS has community pages on Reddit and IRC support. If you are a developer you can test and contribute to the LineageOS with the help of Gerrit account. Lineage OS offering build for Android Marshmallow, Nougat, and Android Oreo (coming soon).
2. SlimROM
SlimRom is very popular for its functionality and simplicity. It is one of the most lightweight ROM based on the AOSP code. The special attraction of the ROM is Quick Settings, Lock Screen shortcuts, custom dialer, Privacy guard, SlimPIE, Shake Events, Notification Reminder, SlimRecents and much more.
Coming to the availability of devices, the SlimROM developed ROM’s for devices such as the Samsung Galaxy family, Motorola, LGE, Sony, and Nexus devices. Currently, SlimROM offering stable Nougat version and Oreo update are under works.
3. Resurrection Remix
This ROM is compatible with most of the devices and is the ROM with the largest developer base. The ROM is available with Android 8.1, and will soon be available with Android 9.0 as it releases. Usually, the beta ROM comes in after 2 or 3 weeks of the device launch an Android version launches. The stable versions of most of the devices are quite stable, and you won’t have an issue with any of the devices.
Going depth into the features of Resurrection Remix ROM there are many things to discuss. They claim every build is stable and optimized for a stable performance. Resurrection Remix ROM supports a wide range of devices with support from developers. Coming to the built-in features, the Resurrection Remix ROM offers a wide variety of customization features to the user. You can tweak the look and feel of the device with themes. It has quick settings support to improve the utility. It also has gestures support to use your Android device with unique gesture controls.
4. Paranoid Android
Paranoid was dead for around a year and they didn’t release any update after the Android 5.0 which just came for around 5 or 10 devices, but the best custom ROM is back again in the market when they announced the PA 7.1 and also with a couple of interesting features on board. Do note that this ROM is also hard to find for the devices which are not too popular, so do keep on looking if your device comes with one.
The main of the developers is to extend the Android essence by adding more features which enhances the overall usability of the OS. It has some unique features like Hover, it is a unique notification management system. It lets you interact with Android notifications in a most usable way. Another interesting feature is Pie, which enhances the navigation on your Andoird with simple swipes.
5. XenonHD
This ROM is also just like the other in the market, they offer the same customization and tweaks one would need. Mainly the customizations are targeted at the young audience. They have always been making smooth Android Experience equipped ROMs. There are not many features available on this Rom usually but you are going to enjoy using this one.
With more than 100+ additional features and 35+ devices support, XenonHD grabbed our attention to place them in this best Android ROMs list. They offer Pixel UI Design and look to the users. It also offers OTA updates with regular frequency. XenonHD ROM’s are also popular for stable experience and good efficient battery performance.
6. MIUI
This ROM comes shipped with Xiaomi devices but is also available for a lot of different other devices they have a nice set of features which are only available for the Xiaomi devices, which can even be migrated to your device. The ROM is able to be commenced to a limited number of devices due to lack of developers for other devices than Xiaomi.
MIUI promises stable performance in Xiaomi devices. They developed the UI with great design and color combinations. I can frankly say, MIUI is one of the most customizable ROM for Android users. It supports full-screen gestures for your convenience. The notification shade is designed for better visibility and it lets you focus in clear. Not only gestures, the MIUI also comes with various built-in tools. You don’t need any third-party apps to clear cache, barcode scanner, and a security app.
7. Flyme OS
Meizu loads their devices with the Flyme OS, and it also borrows most of its components from iOS, they also have quite a lot of their features and working of this UI is quite different from others. If you are looking for a different OS to work on your phone then this is the one to choose.
8. OmniROM
Another custom ROM available for the masses on the popular devices. Most of the devices have a good amount of updates available as the ROM is pretty much stock and just a bit of functionality over the Lineage OS. The ROM is mostly preferred to for the extraordinary battery life they have on offer.
9. Dirty Unicorns
They have the best of the developers in the market, with the most recent fixes on offer for the devices. Dirty Unicorn developers don’t leave the old devices and keep on working for fixes on those, although if the device is more than a year old then don’t expect any update as Custom ROM makers have to go through the pain of many devices coming every year, hence at least for two years you can have stable versions of Dirty Unicorn coming for you.
10. AOSP Extended
As the name suggests it is directly built from the Source of Android. There are many other ROMs which have developed on AOSP, but you can say that this ROM is the best of all in the development, speed, and the features on offer. There are a number of extensions which can be activated from the AOSP app provided inside the ROM.
11. Carbon ROM
This is just similar to every other Roms at least on the first run. They have implemented RRO and Layers which is the best way to get your device customized without changing the ROMs. The ROM includes a ton of mods on the System, Status Bar, lights, etc. There are a number of features on which the ROM lacks, which does make it behind the other Roms. But the set of features the ROM offers are enough to make the ROM famous amongst the Custom ROM lovers.
12. Pure Nexus
Pure Nexus gives a nearly stock ROM experience to the users. The project is available for Nexus and Pixel devices. Also, the project supports and doing tweaks for Android Oreo 8.0.
These are the Top 10 ROMs available in the market, do note that these ROMS will void your warranty if you are using them. Although there are companies which offer you to root the devices and use custom ROMs, still we will warn you before using any of the custom ROM. There are a number of other famous custom ROMs which are not included in the top 10 such as Viper OS, Pure Nexus, Slim Roms, etc.
What do you think about custom ROMs? Did you use any of the custom ROM earlier? Which is the best one you did used so far? Do let us know in the comment section below.