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: February 22, 2021
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 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.
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 mean, now they actually remove their pants to go to the bathroom! 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. Honestly, most of the sex animations are hilarious. At least I find them to be so. One more suggestion, when you download Wicked Whims, be sure to get Amra72’s animations for it. They are by far the best and most humorous. 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.
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!
Slice of Life
This is another huge mod that is a little hard to explain. Basically it adds several realistic elements to the game including things like acne, blushing and other physical changes to Sims based on mood, new emotions and buffs, a hugely upgraded cellphone menu, and much more. It just has so many new and realistic elements to it plus new events even. It also has a menstrual cycle mod included for female Sims but personally I prefer the menstrual cycle included with Wicked Whims so I didn’t install that part of the SoL mod. There is a memory system, sickness system, ability to get drunk, a body image system, and more than I could possibly explain in a short summary. KawaiiStacie is continuously updating the mod with new features so it changes often. Go download this mod and see for yourself!
LittleMsSam’s Mods
Okay, this isn’t a single mod like the others listed but a link to a creator of several very useful mods for added realism. Some of the ones I find to be the most essential are the following:
- Sul Sul Weather App: I hate traveling to another world only to find 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.
- No Restaurant Bill When Invited: If an NPC invites you to dinner, they will pay for the dinner now and choose what is ordered.
- Ultrasound Scan: Another realism mod and it’s just kind of an interesting new addition to the game.
Autonomous Proposals and Breakups
This is something I wish I had known about sooner but only recently discovered. It 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.
Island Event Notifications
If you have the Island Living expansion pack, you may or may not know that Sulani has several town events unique to Sulani but there are no in-game notifications for these events so unless you’re actively looking for them, you’ll never know they’re happening. Not anymore! With this mod, you’ll get an in-game popup notification about any and all events that happen in Sulani. Now you’ll never miss a free BBQ! Be sure to check out Scarlet’s other awesome mods while you’re on her site downloading this one!
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
Ever since I bought the “Tiny Living” Stuff Pack I had lived in fear of my poor Sims dying from using the included Murphy beds. It happens too damned often! This mod changes that so you can finally use these space-saving beds without fear.
Faster University Graduation
Let’s face it, it can take way too long to get your Sim through university to graduation in the new 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.
3D Eyelashes for Female & Male Sims!
This isn’t a mod, per say, but actually CC or custom content but I find it to be essential. This CC pack adds 3D eyelashes to your Sims that look so fantastic. Works for both males and females and for all ages. You can find the eyelashes by looking in the Face Accessories/Glasses sort.
Turn Off EA Eyelashes
This mod goes with the above 3D Eyelashes. This will turn off those blocky eyelashes from EA on all your Sims that you create so that you can add the 3D eyelashes to them instead. The creator’s main language is not English but I think you can get the gist of what they’re saying from their page on how the mod works and how to install it.
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 setting 3 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 has been updated to work with the latest patch and this time the creator seems to be keeping it updated.
Last Exception Assistant
This isn’t a mod but a very useful online tool that is very essential if you use mods and are having problems with your mods. If you start having errors in your game and you don’t know why, it might be due to your mods. This will help you find the problem. Just follow the instructions and if you can’t find the answers on your own, there are several Discord and other help channels that will help you if you send them your lastexception.txt file.
Off the Grid Toddler/Pet Wash Tub
Does your Sim live in a tiny house and doesn’t have room for a bathtub but needs to wash their toddler or small dog? Have no fear! This wash tub is now here! LOL It’s cute and super handy. I use it every time I build a tiny house and need to wash my little doggies. It works great and it’s just recently been updated for the latest patch. This may seem more like custom content than a mod but it’s in MtS’s mod section so I’m recommending it as a mod, so there.
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
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!
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!
