Sims 4 Essential Mods
In this post I will be listing all of the best mods I have found for the Sims 4 that I consider essential for more realistic and interesting gameplay. Before we begin, there is a difference between “mods” and “custom content” or “cc”. Mods actually modify the game to change aspects of how it functions. Custom content on the other hand are game assets such as custom clothing and hair that add to the game but don’t actually alter gameplay. Does that make sense? Okay then, onto the mods!
Be sure to check out My Mods too which I also consider rather essential or I wouldn’t have created them. I also have a Monthly Mod Finds feature here on the site where each month I feature some new and also lesser known mods. Thanks for viewing!
Last Updated: March 14, 2022
MC Command Center (or MCCC)
This mod is huge and almost what I’d consider “all encompassing”. It is a master controller mod that allows you control over just about every aspect of gameplay plus it allows for story progression. Story progression means that the Sims you don’t control directly (NPCs or other families you’ve created but you aren’t actively playing with at the moment) will continue to live out their lives, move between houses, get married, have kids, etc. while you’re controlling your family of Sims. One word of caution though, this mod is huge and has a ton of options. It’s best to read the documentation on the website fully and/or go through all the options in-game to see what they all do. Needles to say, you can do a lot with this mod. It can control your Sim’s pregnancies, edit just about every aspect of your Sim down to their active buffs (what emotions they’re feeling), and even slow down time. Like I said, read the documentation to see what all this mod can do and you won’t be sorry you did.
LittleMsSam’s Mods
Okay, this isn’t a single mod like the others listed on this page but instead is a link to a creator of several very useful mods for added realism plus several random bug fixes. Some of the many mods that I find to be the most essential are the following:
- Sul Sul Weather App: I hate traveling to another world only to find that there’s a nasty thunderstorm and my Sim has to leave in a hurry. Now with this weather app, no more nasty surprises! I love it!!
- Automatic Thermostat: I can never remember to change the thermostat along with the ever changing temperatures so this is a lifesaver.
- More Best Friends: Allows your Sim to have more than one Best Friend in a single playthrough because who can ever decide on just one?
- Power Nap: Take a short nap on the couch that fills a significant portion of your Sim’s energy need. Also works for tents which is essential for wannabe adventurers in Selvadorada.
- Ultrasound Scan: Another realism mod and it’s just kind of an interesting new addition to the game.
Wicked Whims
Before we go any further, this particular mod is for 18+ adults-only. It’s basically a sex mod but it goes far beyond that. It eliminates the censor blur, adds anatomical details to Sims, allows for animated “woohoo”, changes the term “woohoo” to “sex”, introduces new gameplay elements such as Attraction, adds the ability to sweat, birth control pills and menstrual cycles, and much, much more. Let’s face it, if you want reality in your game, you want Wicked Whims because what could be more realistic and natural than this stuff? I’ll be honest, this was the first mod that I installed to my game when I started playing back in June of 2019. It wasn’t because I’m a perv, it’s because without it the game is somewhat ridiculous on how it handles nudity and other such things. I highly suggest, if you’re of age of course, to give this mod a try and see what all it does in addition to the animated sex. You can preview most of the others and get whatever you’re “into” via the links on the WW download page though you may have to sign up for the Lover’s Lab forum. It’s free so no big deal and you only have to sign up once. If you want the other functions of this mod without the sex stuff, look at the next mod suggestion below…
Wonderful Whims
If Wicked Whims isn’t your cup of tea or you want the extra features of WW without the 18+ Adults-only stuff, then Wonderful Whims is for you! That’s what Wonderful Whims is, Wicked Whims without the 18+ sex! It includes an overhauled pregnancy system, menstrual cycle system, birth control, an attraction system, ability to sweat, more social options, and much more. Do keep in mind that you can only install one of these WW mods. Do not install both Wicked and Wonderful but only one of them!
Autonomous Proposals and Breakups
This mod allows NPCs to autonomously propose to your Sim or to autonomously break up with them! How cool is that? No more having to propose all by yourself! It works! I had an NPC propose to one of my Sims though it’s only happened once so far. I wish the creator would up the likelihood of autonomy a bit more but it’s still an awesome and essential mod.
Selectable Pets
One big change that Maxis made to pets in this iteration of the Sims is that they are no longer selectable and are basically NPCs that are a part of your household. No more! This mod isn’t perfect but it does the job. It allows you to see your pets emotions, buffs, needs, and give it simple commands. No more guessing what your cat or dog needs or how they feel! Isn’t that awesome? Truth be told, I don’t often use this mod in my game. I usually only use when I need to figure out what exactly is wrong with my dog when he or she is being uncomfortable for too long and I don’t know why.
Murphy Bed No Fail
When I first bought the “Tiny Living” Stuff Pack, I lived in fear of my poor Sims dying from sleeping in the included Murphy beds. It happens too damned often! This mod changes that so you can finally use these space-saving beds without fear of dying!
Faster University Graduation
Let’s face it, it can take way too long to get your Sim through university and finally to graduation in the expansion “Discover University”. This mod fixes that problem by changing the number of classes required to graduate. It comes in several “flavors” but I use the one that cuts the required classes down from 12 to 8.
Simulation Unclogger
This mod isn’t a fix but a “remedy” for Sims who get stuck while interactions are supposed to be happening. This works hand in hand with the next essential mod that I’ll mention below. It seem to work great and the modder who created it keeps it updated.
Simulation Lag Fix
Do you notice that when you set your speed to go faster that it sometimes slows down considerably? That’s lag! Notice your Sims standing there doing absolutely nothing? That’s also due to simulation lag! Get this mod which works together with the mod mentioned directly above to fix the lag in your game. It is often updated to work with the latest patches.
Tidy Details & Tattoos
This mod adds little labels to your CAS skin details and tattoo categories to help you sort through them and layer them as needed. The labels will always show at the beginning of each sub-category, even above items added by EA/Maxis. This way you can tell what a given slot each skin detail or tattoo will take up on your Sim. Very handy and now that I have it installed, I don’t know what I’d do without this!
Don’t Wash Dishes Where You Angry Poop
Not only does this mod have the best name, it’s one of the best mods out there. Are you sick and tired of your Sims skipping the kitchen sink to go wash their dishes in the bathroom?? Well this mod fixes that! Now you can disable dishwashing on every sink EXCEPT the kitchen sink so that they will only use the sink they are supposed to use. It’s an essential mod and it’s being kept updated by the community in honor of its late original creator, Scumbumbo.
Basemental Drugs & Alchohol
You can’t have realism with vice! Now you can add various illicit drugs to your game via Basmental’s mods. There is an option that if you just want to add realistic alcohol drunk buffs to your game (and even alcoholic drink names) you can download just that mod separately without all the drug stuff. I thought “what the hell” and downloaded the whole kit and caboodle. I haven’t played with it much but it is kind of interesting and adds some new gameplay mechanics in case your game is getting a little stale.
More Columns in CAS
I think there’s more than one mod like this but this one is the most often updated and that makes it the best. This mod does exactly what it says, it expands the number of columns in CAS from two to either three, four, or five. I have mine set to four and it’s wonderful! I can’t believe I went so long without this mod! Yes, it’s that necessary; especially if you have a larger widescreen monitor.
Always FullEditMode & Always TestingCheatsEnabled
For both a modder and someone who occasionally has no patience with my Sims, these two mods are absolute necessities! Drop them into your Mods folder and you will no longer have to activate testing cheats or full edit mode by typing in the codes each time you play. Now they are on automatically, all the time. It’s such a time and hassle saver!
Road to Romance by Lumpinou
This is a really cool mod that I wish I had found and installed a long time ago. It basically rewrites the game’s whole romance system! This mod has really made my game more difficult/interesting/fun. If you want to shake up how your Sims romance each other, I highly suggest you give this mod a try. I would also suggest you try this on a fresh, new game rather than one already in progress that way if you don’t like the changes it will be easier to start over or go back to your previous game. Also, be sure to read the install instructions as it requires an external file! There’s a lot in the post to read but it is worth your time.
Healthcare Redux by adeepindigo
This is another really cool mod that has become an essential ever since I first installed it! Now your Sims can have doctor visits, illnesses, medicine, etc.! It’s really nifty and adds a great dash of realism to the game. You can download multiple versions depending on what length of lifespan you usually play on and whether you want your Sims to be able to die from the (untreated) illnesses. Adeepindigo also has similar mods for dental care and eye care that you can check out as well.
More Traits in CAS by thepancake1 & MizoreYukii
Sims need more than just three traits! Now your Sims can have five traits! This is fantastic if you love more than three of my custom traits. LOL Make sure you keep this mod updated as it does mess with the UI and be sure to read the description, but it works like a dream come true. I’ve been using it for a while now on all of my Sims and I love it. You don’t even have to use all five slots. You can still choose only three traits or four or five!
That’s all for now. I’ll be updating and adding to this list as I find more mods that I deem essential for the Sims 4’s best and most semi-realistic gaming experience. Be sure to check out my Mods too! Thank you for viewing and I hope you enjoy all of your new mods!
