Best Sims 4 Expansion Packs in 2023

Want to take your Sims 4 experience beyond just the base game but don't know which ones to get? Since The Sims 4 came out in 2014, there have been over 40 expansions and add-on stuff packs, some of which are better than others. Now that everyone can play the base version of The Sims 4 for free, many more players will probably be curious about which of the plethora of Sims expansion packs are worth spending money for.

Top 7 Best Sims 4 Expansion Packs in 2023

Not all expansion packs and add-on stuff packs are the best. Some packs really enhance the gameplay, while others fall a little bit short of expectations.

Speaking of The Sims 4's best expansion packs, they do not simply offer more of the same; rather, they add new gameplay mechanics, new jobs, and new places to explore.

Here are the best expansion packs for The Sims 4 that you may want to buy.

1. The Sims 4 - Seasons

First on this list should be Seasons, which was introduced all the way back in 2018 and has been the most versatile expansion pack for all the players. This pack significantly enriches players' Sims 4 experience on all fronts by integrating the weather game mechanic into all available worlds.

The addition of a calendar and the passing and changing of seasons, along with everything that comes with each, really make the core life simulation aspect of the game a lot more accurate. It also improves the base game in the best way possible. For these reasons, it's no surprise that Seasons is one of the best Sims 4 expansion packs.

Unlike some other expansion packs, Seasons doesn’t offer a new world to play in; however, it does include almost everything else: career choices, rewards, traits, objects, and aspirations.

Release date: June 22, 2018

Major Features:

• Experience changes in weather and seasons
• Participate in seasonal activities
• Celebrate Sim-inspired holidays
• …

2. The Sims 4- Cats & Dogs

If you don't like cats or dogs, you might want to look at other expansions, but if you do, The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs is almost a must-have pack.

As the name implies, the pack lets players customize canine and feline friends for the home, from their breeds to their personalities and accessories.

It came out in 2017 and has been one of the most complete expansion packs launched for The Sims 4.

Not only does this expansion let players create or adopt pets and take their stray animals home in The Sims 4, but it also includes the Brindleton Bay world, which has new lot traits like Breeding Grounds, Cat and Dog hangouts, Dog or Cat-friendly lots, and Training Grounds.

It also comes with a bunch of new clothes, pet-focused toys and furniture, and a whole new set of gameplay features for the Sims and their pets.

Release date: Nov 10, 2017

Major Features:

• Become a vet and own a veterinarian clinic
• Create cats and dogs
• Make bonds with new four-legged friends
• Explore the new world together with your new pets

3. The Sims 4 - Discover University

Discover University, one of the best expansion packs Sims 4, came out in 2019. Longtime fans of The Sims had been waiting for it since this pack really brought back University Life and University, one of the greatest expansion packs from The Sims 3 and The Sims 2, respectively.

This expansion adds, as you might expect, college life to the game, and it's pretty detailed. In The Sims 4: Discover University, you can get the full college experience in a new world called Britchester with 2 rival universities, new careers, and, of course, brand new gameplay features.

Everything makes the college experience in the Sims close to real-life experiences, with roommates, loans, scholarships, and juice-keg parties.

Release date: Nov 15, 2019

Major Features:

• Join a university
• Explore the university town
• Have roommates
• Earn a degree

4. The Sims 4 - City Living

City Living features a metropolitan world named San Myshuno. For those who have ever wanted to experience city living, enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city (like going to cultural festivals and karaoke bars), and rent apartments instead of having a house in the suburbs, this expansion pack is really worth spending money on.

In The Sims 4 - City Living, players can choose from four neighborhoods. Well, you can choose to rent an Uptown penthouse if you are rich, of course. You can also live in the art quarter.

This expansion also includes cultural festivals, murals, pubs, and new careers. You can now pursue a profession in the game as an art critic or a social media influencer. Sounds interesting, right?

Release date: Nov 1, 2016

Major Features:

• Explore a busy city
• New apartment lots
• New cultural festivals
• New metropolitan careers

5. The Sims 4 - Island Living

Do you ever just want to escape the bustle of the Sims world and relax on a tropical island? If that’s the case, then The Sims 4 - Island Living is the best Sims 4 expansion pack to get.

On the island of Sulani, you can enjoy the thrills of beach life and experience lots of great things that suburban life can’t offer.

Here, you can go "Off-the-Grid" entirely, make friends with cute dolphins, meet mermaids, and immerse yourself in the island's culture. Of course, you can also do nothing at all and simply relax in the sun. Well, this island world absolutely presents a carefree and relaxing vibe, making it stand out from the rest.

The expansion also includes new outfits, new part-time jobs, a new career, and the new Beach Life Aspiration.

Release date: June 21, 2019

Major Features:

• Relax on sandy beaches
• Enjoy local culture
• Help conserve the environment
• Meet mermaids
• …

6. The Sims 4 - Eco Lifestyle

Eco Lifestyle is considered one of the expansion packs many players were not expecting and, at first glance, it did not appear to be particularly intriguing. Surprisingly, though, it ended up being one of the most game-changing expansions out there.

This expansion pack, which came out in 2020, focuses deeply on the world's Eco-Footprint. It gives players the power to change and develop the world all around their Sims through new features like community projects and renewable energy, together with brand-new crafting skills.

Release date: June 5, 2020

Major Features:

• Explore sustainable living
• Impact the world around
• Collaborate with the community
• Enjoy the new upcycled decor

7. The Sims 4 - Cottage Living

Any players who look for a quiet and peaceful life with no alarms.

This expansion focuses heavily on country life. By including various interactable animals like rabbits, chickens, cows, and even llamas, The Sims 4: Cottage Living adds a new gameplay feature that fans have been waiting for quite a while: Farming.

Cottage Living, similar to other best Sims 4 expansion packs, also has a world of its own, which is named Henford-on-Bagle. The majority of lots on this world are considerably larger than those that Sims fans are accustomed to since they have farming areas, barns large enough for cows and llamas, and chicken coops as well.

Release date: July 22, 2021

Major Features:

• Enjoy peaceful country life
• Nurture and befriend the animals
• Live off the land with a new lot of challenges

Conclusion

These are the top six best Sims 4 expansion packs ranked that will significantly expand players' Sims 4 experiences beyond the base game. Which one of these expansions do you find the most impressive and want to buy right away? Don't forget to let us know in the comment section down below.