The Sims 4 attracts a wide variety of players, from those who love spending hours creating their sim self or celebrity crush, to players who nurture families across twelve generations, to those who use the game almost exclusively to build their dream homes – and so much more! This post is intended to offer pack suggestions tailored to the type of player you are. As someone who’s indecisive, I totally understand how tough it can be to choose which pack to buy first, second, or … you get the idea. These suggestions aren’t the only options for people who fall into these categories, but they’re a great starting point. All of the recommendations are based on my personal opinions, which might differ from other players’. I have recommended one or two from each category of Sims 4 DLC (Don’t know what the different categories are? Keep reading) for each type of player. Now, let’s dive right in!
Sims 4 Packs Explained
There are so many Sims 4 packs, so it can be hard to differentiate between them. Here’s a reminder of the 4 categories of packs:
Expansion Packs (£34.99 GBP/$39.99 USD)
These are the most expensive packs that come with the most content. Almost all of them come with a new world in your game and have a lot of new build items, CAS items, and gameplay features.
If you would like to see my ranking of all of the expansion packs then click here.
Game Packs (£17.99 GBP/$19.99 USD)
These are medium sized packs, which regularly include large gameplay features (e.g. all fleshed out occult systems are in their own game packs). Game packs might come with new worlds that despite being smaller than expansion pack worlds can add more variety to your game.
Stuff Packs (£9.99 GBP/$9.99 USD)
These packs are much smaller than the two mentioned above and were the smallest available for several years until kits were introduced. In my opinion, stuff packs vary the most in quality out of the four categories. Some of the oldest stuff packs feel more like kits, while the latest ones are packed with new content and are really well done.
Kits (£4.99 GBP/$4.99 USD)
These are the cheapest DLC option, offering bite-sized bursts of specific items or gameplay. They can be categorised into Build and CAS kits, with some kits focusing solely on furniture, decor and build features, while others include only clothing and accessories. There is also one gameplay kit, Bust the Dust.
Remember you must own the Sims 4 Base Game (which is free!) before purchasing any packs. You can use this link to purchase the base game or any of the Sims 4 packs:
Packs for New Players (Your First Sims 4 Packs)
Here’s a pack in each category that serves as a great starting point to enhance your gameplay beyond the base game’s capabilities. However, if you already have a specific type of game you enjoy, then keep scrolling for inspiration for your first pack. For example, if you love farming games, Cottage Living expansion pack might be the perfect choice for you.
Packs for 3 Distinct Age Groups
Kids
These are perfect packs for young players to take their Sims 4 game to the next level:
High Schoolers
The recommended expansion pack might be a little on the nose, but it will let you decorate the teenage bedroom of your dreams! The other packs are all really fun too. Werewolves is wild and exciting, while the Home Chef Hustle Stuff Pack comes with a waffle maker and pizza oven – does it get any better than that?
University Students
As a big fan of Spa Day, I know that students crave rest and relaxation more than anything. I hope these suggestions inspire you to study, live out your old castle fantasies, and unwind!
Packs for Every Type of Sims Players
For FAMILY-ORIENTED Players
The first two packs are perfect for legacy challenges or players who love setting up intricate family dynamics. They add so much depth to your parenting gameplay, making it richer and more engaging. Nifty Knitting adds more gameplay for elders (as well as any sim older than a toddler) and makes all sims’ wardrobes more colourful. All these packs are exactly my style and I love playing with them!
For ANIMAL LOVERS
For animal lovers, expansion packs are the one stop shop. One is perfect for cat and dog enthusiasts, while another caters to horse lovers. As for kits, there aren’t any specifically related to animals – unless you count a colourful butterfly-shaped top in the Urban Homage kit!
For HOPELESS ROMANTICS
Need I say anymore, Jadosi (simlish for I love this)!!
For Players Who THRIVE IN CHAOS
Your sim’s house is lined with meat walls, their sibling just froze to death, dust bunnies are everywhere and you’re having the time of your life! If that sounds like you, then you’ve found the right section. It was harder than I thought to come up with the most chaotic combination of Sims packs, but here’s a good start.
For ARCHITECTS & BUILDERS
The perfect pack for builders highly depends on your style. Get Together and Castle Estate are ideal for those who love constructing homes that could have been around for hundreds of years. On the other hand, Eco Lifestyle and Tiny Living are the perfect combination for creating small container homes. Additionally, Strangerville and both kits mentioned below each offer a strong collection of build features.
For INTERIOR DESIGNERS
I think these packs are fantastic for home decor. The clutter kits instantly elevate your interiors by adding a lived-in feel. There are packs for a wide variety of design styles, from Industrial Loft to Modern Luxe. Personally, I often find myself reaching for the Jungle Adventure game pack when building – the colourful items are perfect for creating unique spaces.
For COMMUNITY LOT BUILDING ENTHUSIASTS
Here are some recommendations for players who love building community lots such as lounge’s, cafe’s, bars and gyms.
For CHEFS
Cottage Living expansion pack is a must-have for chefs, thanks to the Simple Living lot trait. This trait requires your Sims to harvest or purchase all of their groceries before cooking, adding a layer of realism that goes beyond the usual “pay and cook” method in the Sims 4. The following packs complement each other well and will definitely enhance your in-game culinary experience!
For GARDENERS and PLANT PARENTS
Plants = Happy!
For SUSTAINABILITY GURUS
*insert bias* I am a climate scientist when I’m not simming, so I highly recommend Eco Lifestyle! But seriously, from solar panels, camping, small living (with many game perks!), to gardening decor, these four packs have got all the eco warriors covered!
For ENTREPRENEURS
Let’s get hustling! Start with the Basement Treasures kit to capture the reality of your sim’s humble beginnings, then level up to Modern Luxe decor as you start cashing in those hard-earned paychecks.
For CITY-LIVING Players
Blinding Lights from City Heights – don’t get lost as you work your way up from a cramped industrial apartment to the modern penthouse of your dreams!
For COLLECTORS (aka HOARDERS)
All these packs come with fun new collections, except for the Book Nook kit. However, does that even matter when you can create the library of your dreams and admire hundreds of books? If you’re more of the ‘have-it-to-use-it’ type, then Crystal Collections is perfect, as it allows you to use your supply for mystical beauty.
For BEACH BABES
*declaring my weather preference as sunny and hot*
For MAGICAL OCCULT LOVING Simmers
While the two expansion packs mentioned below do include occults (mermaids and aliens), I highly recommend heading straight to the game packs for a more immersive experience! If you’re undecided between playing as a werewolf, spellcaster or vampire, check out my game pack ranking post to see my personal favourite occult pack (it’s Realm of Magic). Otherwise, just pick the one that excites you the most as they’re all well made. The Paranormal stuff pack also adds a lot of depth to ghostly encounters and your sim’s interactions with them. Lastly, the Goth Galore kit perfectly complements the style of most of these packs!
For HISTORY BUFFS
From tudors and knights to castles and butlers, there are SIms 4 packs dedicated to all players who want to live out their historical fantasies!
For STYLE ICONS
Turn the pavement into your personal catwalk with these gorgeous packs! Here are a few of my top picks for their CAS (Create-A-Sim) contents. Since kits are very specialised, I suggest browsing through the various fashion kits to find the one that best matches your style.
For POP CULTURE GURUS
Dear all celebrity gossip lovers, I’ve got the best pop culture Sims 4 packs. Some of these packs hit the theme spot-on, while others add the perfect finishing touch.
For WELLNESS YOGIS
Spas and the wonderful wellness skill are features of the Spa Day game pack. The other recommendations compliment it well. For example, Snowy Escape introduces Onsen Baths and Island Living has luscious beaches.
For ADVENTUROUS TRAVELLERS
The first two suggested packs are perfect for adventure seekers, offering unique scenery and new skills. Crystal Creations is a great addition, letting you experiment with powers and the mood or skill benefits of their accessories. And don’t forget to add some sparkle to your Sim’s outfits with the Moonlight Chic kit – perfect for those sparkly nights out after a day full of adventure.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide was helpful and has inspired you to play the game in a new way or help you make a decision regarding your next Sims 4 pack purchase.
Again, this is just my opinion, so I’d be curious to know what kind of player you are and if you agree with my suggestions or not. Let me know in the comments below!
Have a lovely day and happy simming 🙂
