Hey, fellow Simmers! Whether you’ve been playing The Sims 4 for years or just started, you know the game can always use a little extra oomph. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best Sims 4 mods 2023 edition! These sims 4 mods will make your gameplay experience more fun and realistic. From quirky little add-ons to serious game-changers, we’ve got something for everyone.
This game has been out for so long, it only makes sense that we’re all looking for mods to liven up the gameplay and add some realism. This list of realistic best Sims 4 mods will be enjoyable in anyone’s game, from functional photo frames, romantic interactions, more realistic birth, and so much more.
I know everyone has slightly different taste in gameplay—mine definitely leans more towards realism! So in this list of sims 4 must have mods, that’s mostly what you’ll find, but hopefully there is something for everyone here too in this list of my favorite best sims 4 mods.
Best Sims 4 Mods 2023 — Better Realistic gameplay (Sims 4 Must Have Mods!)
I have organized this post out by what I consider my “core” mods—aka I ALWAYS have them in my mods folder, no matter what—and everything else.
My list of core mods won’t change (that’s kind of the point, haha!) but make sure to check back for updates on the rest of this post. New mods are always being released by this incredible community, so I aim to keep this as current as possible with ALL the best sims 4 mods of 2023.
If you’re all set on the core mods, go ahead and skip down to the section “Better, More Realistic Sims 4 Gameplay Mods — Best Sims 4 Mods 2023!” using the Table of Contents above!
The Core Essential Sims 4 Must Have Mods
The core essential sims 4 must have mods are the mods I think everyone should have in their game! Unless you’re playing completely vanilla, of course.
Note: These mods will break with just about every single patch update! Save this post, or add it to your Pinterest, to refer back to for the links to easily update the mods post-patch days!
MC Command Center by Deaderpool
If you’ve been playing the sims 4 for any length of time, changes are you’ve heard of MC Command Center (or MCCC, as I call it!). This is such a big mod that it’s hard to explain what it does, but it does everything, and you’ll definitely want to grab it.
This mod is absolutely incredible to add Story Progression to sims 4, which is what makes it one of the best sims 4 mods, IMO!
You can control careers, CAS templates (no more wacky accessories!), Get Together clubs, pregnancies, woohoo and romantic relationships, autonomy tweaks, save file population and SO MUCH MORE.
My favorite ways to use this mod are to cheat for skills, jobs and even university degrees when I’m setting up a new family or save file and want to give them some backstory! I also implement various autonomy tweaks (like canceling alien night at the bar, or getting rid of the monster under the bed—so annoying!) and love using it to keep my townies from wearing all kinds of weird clothes, lol.
In historical saves, with a little bit of time and patience, you can even create pre-set outfits, so townies will spawn in period appropriate clothing! This mod is seriously AMAZING.
I highly recommend grabbing it and giving a quick read over the documentation Deaderpool provides. But the best way to learn the features of MCCC is to figure it out as you go, in my experience!
The sheer power and control of this mod is what makes it an absolute must have mod, and definitely one of the best sims 4 mods you can get!
UI Cheats Extension Mod by Weerbesu
Th UI Cheats Extension is an absolute must have sims 4 mod! This mod unlocks so many things and gives you so much more control over your game, making it one of the best sims 4 mods in my opinion, and one everyone should have.
Have you ever watched a Guru sim stream, and been jealous that they can click on their sims needs and raise them up or down on command?! Then you need this mod!
Controlling your sims needs with the click of a button is just one of the many features of UI Cheats Extension. Another favorite feature is the ability to just click your money amount and type in exactly how much you want to give your sims (no more bringing up the cheat bar and typing in ‘motherlode’ fifty times!).
You have direct control over your sims needs, their career, their skills, and so much more. Seriously! And allow without having to manually type in a cheat. This sims 4 mod saves so much time and makes it so much easier to create exactly the story you’ve envisioned for your family.
This is another mod with a ton of features that are best to explore as you need them!:) But don’t skip out on grabbing this one—it’s one of the best sims 4 mods of 2023! (And all time, lol)
More Columns CAS Mod by Weerbesu
The More Columns in CAS mod is another must-have mod for me! It is easily one of the best sims 4 mods of 2023 and ALL TIME, haha.
It’s a small one—it just gives you an option for 3 columns, 4 columns, or 5 columns in CAS. But this helps so much if you have a lot of packs or a lot of CC (or both!). It makes it so much easier to scroll through everything.
Note: if you play on a small screen, stick with the 3 columns! If you have a bigger, external monitor, I LOVE the 5 columns, personally!
Definitely grab this one! Promise you’ll love it.
[RELATED: 65+ MAXIS MATCH SIMS 4 CLOTHES CC YOU’LL LOVE!]
Sims 4 Lighting Mods
Lighting mods are another must have sims 4 mod for me! I do think overall, the sims 4 has pretty nice lighting. But sometimes things feel a little too dark! You can definitely fix that if you use Reshade, but as someone who plays sims 4 on a mac, I can’t use reshade, so lighting mods are even more essential.
There are actually two lsims 4 lighting mods I always use. They’re both by Luumia. NoGlo and NoBlu.
NoGlo brightens up the sims themselves, while NoBlue gets rid of the blue tint in sims 4 lighting! These are small adjustments make such a big impact and just overall make your game look way better, which is why these are some of the best sims 4 mods in my opinion!
Better, More Realistic Sims 4 Gameplay Mods — Best Sims 4 Mods 2023!
These are my most loved, sims 4 must have mods for better gameplay! I am a big fan of realistic, aesthetic gameplay so if you are too, then I think you will love these recommendations. In my opinion, these are the absolute best sims 4 mods of 2023!
Some of these mods are pretty beefy, so if you play on a lower end computer, they might make your game lag! Always start small when it comes to downloading mods, and if your game takes a performance hit, consider removing whatever mod you just added!
Keep on reading for the best sims 4 mods that you need to improve your gameplay!
Must-Have Sims 4 Mod—Wonderful Whims
You may have heard of a mod called “Wicked Whims”—Wonderful Whims is its more age-appropriate cousin. 🙂 Wonderful Whims is one of the best sims 4 mods if you’re looking to add a more in-depth attraction system, and relationship system to your game!
This mod includes:
- In-depth attraction system (you can fully control what your sims like, or let it autogenerate)
- Personality archetypes and new social interactions
- A realistic menstrual cycle (you can turn this off—don’t worry!) including buyable feminine hygiene products
- Useable birth control to prevent pregnancy and diseases (you can turn off the diseases too—I do!)
- As well as a few misc. settings around relationships, woohoo, and pregnancy!
Personally, I use this mod mostly for the attraction system! It is so much more in-depth than what EA gave us with the Growing Together update. For all the pregnancy settings, I turn them off on Wonderful Whims and rely on Lumpinou’s Woohoo and Relationship Wellness mod (lower down in this post!).
Pro Tip: turn off the sweat setting! lol. Personally, I think it looks so gross, haha.
BUT, all that being said, the in-depth attraction system makes Wonderful Whims a sims 4 must have mod for me! And definitely one of the best sims 4 mods ever made! This is another one by Deaderpool (the maker of MCCC) so it’s not surprising that it’s incredible!
Sims 4 Must Have Mod: Basemental Alcohol (21+!)
The Basemental Alcohol mod is a sims 4 must have mod if you are over the age of 21! (Or whatever the drinking age is in your country! ;))
This mod basically renames all the in-game drinks to their realistic counterparts (juice pong -> beer pong, for example) and adds a new drunk system that gives your sims new buffs and even new interaction (hello, drunk texting, lol).
Your sim can be tipsy, get drunk, and even have a hangover that will give them a ton of negative moodlets. BUT, honestly the real reason I like this mod is for the realistic drink names, haha. And on occasion, it’s fun that my sims have the deal with the consequences of their nights out in the form of a hangover. 😉
If you’re looking for a more… illicit version of this mod, I highly recommend Basemental Drugs! Personally, I don’t use it (look, all my sims became addicts when I had it—I don’t wanna talk about it! lol) but I have in the past, and enjoyed the added gameplay it brought! Note: only download either Basemental Alcohol OR Basemental Drugs! You don’t need both.
But, for the realism this one adds, as well as the incredible detail, this is definitely one of the best sims 4 mods, and one of the sims 4 must have mods for me!
Sims 4 Must Have Mod: 100 Base Game Traits
This set of sims 4 cc traits by Vicky sims is a sims 4 must have mod for me! It adds over 100 traits (and even adjusts how some of the in-game traits function) that you can give to your sims, making for truly unique combinations!
If you only download one pack of custom cc traits, I highly recommend this one! It is one of the best sims 4 mods, in my opinion.
RELATED: 19+ SIMS 4 CC TRAITS FOR EXTRA DIVERSE, REALISTIC SIM PERSONALITIES
Cuddle In Bed
The “Cuddle In Bed” mod is a game-changer for all the hopeless romantic sims out there (wave emoji). Who else misses that this animation was included in Sims 3 and Sims 2?! With this mod, Sims can now cuddle with their partners while they sleep, adding a whole new level of intimacy to their relationships. Why settle for boring old sleep animations when you can have your Sims cozy up and cuddle all night long? Download the “Cuddle In Bed” mod today and watch your Sims’ relationships grow stronger than ever before.
If you like this mod, you might be interested in the custom “lay on lap” interaction for child sims, a mod I included in my sims 4 infant mods and growing together mods round-up!
adeepindigo’s Education Overhaul
If you’re tired of the same old education system in Sims 4, you’ve gotta check out adeepindigo’s “Education Overhaul” mod. This game-changing mod adds tons of new features, including preschool for your little ones, more options for homework, and realistic skill gain. Plus, it totally revamps the university application process, giving you a more challenging and immersive experience. There’s even a new career for K-12 education!
This mod is perfect for people who like spending more time developing their sims and their skills! I personally really enjoy the realism of actually applying to college, having to write an admissions essay, and more. Sending sims to school over and over can get repetitive, but this mod makes it easy to customize it to your unique sim.
There is so much to this mod, I highly recommend you read the full documentation put together by adeepindigo on their Patreon page (free to download, though, no worries!).
adeepindigo’s Family and Youth Activities
If you’re looking for a mod that will add a ton of fun to your family gameplay, then the “Family and Youth Activities” mod is a must-try. This awesome mod introduces new rabbithole activities for kids, like toddler play dates, the arcade, clubs and more. Plus, it also includes seasonal activities for the whole family to enjoy, like going to the movies, beach days, and more!
This mod is a great way to keep sims busy for a little while so you can focus on other aspects of gameplay. It’s also great for realism and storytelling, which I personally love in my own gameplay. So, if you’re ready to make your Sims family even more awesome, download the “Family and Youth Activities” mod now and get ready to have a blast!
“SimDa” Dating App by LittleMsSam (Sims 4 Dating App Mod)
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to spice up your Sims’ love lives, then the “SimDa Dating App” mod is an absolute game-changer. This amazing mod adds a Tinder-style dating app that allows your Sims to go on dates with other singles, whether they’re looking for love, a hookup, or even a blind date! With this mod, you can sit back and watch your Sims’ love lives blossom as they explore the dating world and discover new romance possibilities. This mod makes it so incredibly easy to find the perfect pairing for your sim, which is it is one of my favorite Sims 4 mods of 2023.
So, if you’re ready to take your Sims’ love lives to the next level, download the “SimDa Dating App” mod now and get ready to swipe, match, and fall in love!
Lumpinou’s First Impressions Mod
Lumpinou’s “First Impressions” mod is perfect to spice up your Sims’ relationships! This mod adds first impressions to your Sims’ interactions, based on their trait compatibility. Now, your sims won’t love everyone they meet right away. Your Sims can now even develop crushes on other Sims, adding a whole new level of excitement to their love lives. Imagine your Sim being swept off their feet by someone they just met, simply because they have the perfect combination of traits!
With this mod, you’ll never know what to expect, and that’s what makes it so much fun. So, if you’re ready to add some extra romance and unpredictability to your Sims’ relationships, download the “First Impressions” mod now and get ready for some seriously exciting gameplay!
I for one am also really curious to see how Lumpinou plans to update this mod and weave in the new compatibility features coming with Growing Together! Lumpinou is an amazing modder with no shortage of creative ideas.
Lumpinou’s Romance and Pregnancy Overhaul
This mod is the best of the BEST when it comes to Sims 4 mods! As the name says, it completely overhauls the pregnancy and relationship system in The Sims 4. This mod is great for realism and has so many different modules. Almost all the modules are individual so you can pick and choose what you want and what you don’t want. You can add pregnancy side effects, fertility settings, custody and setting up visitation, put children up for adoption, act as a surrogate parent, paternity testing, and SO much more!
Lumpinou has an entire page on their website about all the modules of this mod, and they are constantly updating it. I highly recommend reading all about it, but I guarantee almost every simmer will find an awesome feature in this mod that makes Sims 4 more realistic and more fun, which is why it is DEFINITELY one of the best Sims 4 mods of 2023.
More Visitors On Lots by LittleMsSam
This is a simple mod, but it is such a game changer! The More Visitors Lot Trait lets you spawn more sims on a lot. Want to take your toddlers to story time at the library, but hated that there were never any other toddlers? Well, now you can spawn some.
With the “More Visitors on Lot” trait, you’ll never have to worry about running out of people to interact with, and your Sims will always have a social life that’s as vibrant as they are. So, if you’re ready to add some extra fun and excitement to your Sims’ social lives, download the “More Visitors on Lot” mod today and say goodbye to empty community lots.
Auto Employees Lot Trait by LittleMsSam
This is another small mod, but such a game-changer! Have you ever made a community lot and wished it could be dual-purpose? Like a library with a coffee bar? Or even a group of community lots– a bar, a coffee shop and spa in one? This mod will do just that! It will automatically spawn vendors for most vendor stalls, including the coffee shop from Get Together, the food and drink vendor stalls, DJ booths, and more. No more having to pay 100 simoleans just to get a drink around here!
PandaSama Realistic Childbirth Sims 4 Mod
The “Realistic Childbirth Mod” by PandaSamas is a revolutionary addition to the Sims 4 gameplay experience. This mod brings a new level of realism to childbirth in the game, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the experience of giving birth. The mod adds a variety of new features, such as new animations, more realistic labor times, and the option for Sims to receive pain relief during labor. The birth animation where mama cuddles the newborn is adorable! You can even opt for a water birth or a homebirth with a midwife. This mod takes childbirth in the game to a whole new level of realism, and trust me– it’ll blow your mind!
Grannie’s Cookbook
Grannie’s Cookbook is my FAVORITE Sims 4 food mod! It adds a new functional item, called Grannie’s Cookbook (which totally looks like one, too) that adds tons of new recipes your sims can make. From kid-friendly snacks to desserts to finger foods and more, this mod includes food for every sim! My personal favorite recipe is the tea sandwich tray– perfect for child sims playing tea party.
You can download all the recipes or pick and choose which ones to add, and the creator is always adding new ones. With the “Grannies Cookbook” mod, you’ll never run out of tasty meal options for your Sims. Download the mod today and start cooking up a storm!
RELATED: 31+ BEST SIMS 4 KITCHEN CC AND KITCHEN MODS!
SimCity Loans
The SimCity Loans mod for Sims 4, a game-changing addition that allows your Sims to take out loans to finance their dreams (no motherlode needed here!). With this mod, your Sims can take out loans from the local bank to fund their business ventures, buy their dream home, or even pay for their education. But be careful – loans come with interest rates!
This mod is a great way to *realistically* buy that dream house or go on all those vacations to Sulani without busting out the cheats. If you’re looking to add a new level of realism and challenge to your Sims 4 gameplay experience, download the SimCity Loans mod today!
Serve Drinks on Table
This is another small mod, but the small things make such a difference when it comes to more realistic gameplay in Sims 4! This mod by Zero lets your sim set the table with drinks (literally any drink you can think of). I have always hated how my sims could only have a drink with their meal if they went to a restaurant (or if you queued up a ton of interactions).
With this mod, you can have OJ with your Sunday morning pancakes in the click of a button! Or even a glass of Riverblossom Red with your Italian date night!
Functional Photo Frames
If you’re like me and love customizing your Sims’ homes, you gotta check out the “Functional Photo Frame” mod. With this mod, you can take all those screenshots you’ve been collecting and turn them into personalized wall art! The mod comes with a bunch of different frames to choose from, so you can pick the one that matches your Sims’ decor style.
And the best part? The frames are actually functional, which means you can swap out the pictures whenever you want. It’s like having your own personal art gallery right in your Sims’ home. This mod will be an awesome add-on to the Growing Together expansion pack, showing off sweet family moments in your Sims’ homes. That’s just one reason is it one of the best Sims 4 mods of 2023, in my opinion!
NateTheL0ser Chat Pack
If you’re looking to add some new social interactions to your game, you’ve got to check out NateTheL0ser’s Chat Pack mod. This mod adds a ton of new options for your Sims to interact with each other, including complaining about lost youth, morning sickness, and puberty, and discussing their honeymoon plans and midlife crises. Plus, pregnant Sims can enthuse about their new baby and engaged Sims can enthuse about their upcoming wedding. And if your male Sim is pregnant with an alien baby, they can even complain about their weird symptoms!
All in all, there are 28 brand new socials for your Sims. With all these new interactions, your Sims will never run out of things to talk about. Download NateTheL0ser’s Chat Pack mod today and add some fresh new social dynamics to your Sims’ lives!
Preferences Plus
This mod adds a ton of new preferences to your Sims’ likes and dislikes system. You can choose your Sims’ favorite hobbies, interests, venues, outfits, personal traits, food types, drinks, and flavors. This means your Sims will have more unique personalities and will be able to enjoy things that match their tastes.
Plus, these preferences affect your Sims’ gameplay in a bunch of ways. Your Sims will have new autonomy changes, whims, social interactions, computer interactions, and moodlets. It’s like giving your Sims a more realistic personality that reflects their preferences! Overall, I think this mod is super fun and adds a lot of depth to the game. If you’re looking to spice up your Sims’ personalities, give the Preferences Plus mod a try!
This post was all about the best Sims 4 mods 2023, And MY personal Sims 4 must have mods!
I hope you found a few new mods to enjoy and spice up your gameplay!