The Sims 4 packs guide: what is in every DLC
Every expansion explained
There are 32 DLC packs for The Sims 4. This is a lot, and since they range from cheap packs to full on expansions this can snowball into an eye-watering amount of money being spent.
In this Sims 4 packs guide, we will go over all of the DLC packs available for the game, the types of DLC pack available, and the contents of every pack.
You could buy all of the DLC packs, but if you buy them at full price I have some horrifying stats for you:
- Buying all 9 expansion packs: £314.91 / $359.91 / 359.91€ (Number includes Eco Living expansion pack)
- Buying all 8 game packs: £143.92 / $159.92 / 159.92€
- Buying all 15 stuff packs: £149.85 / $149.85 / 149.85€
- Total cost for all The Sims 4 DLC: £608.68 / $669.68 / 669.68€ (Number includes Eco Living expansion pack)
Now I should stress, DLC packs for The Sims 4 are frequently discounted on the Origin Store, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be splurging the full cost and emptying your wallet. But it’s still a very expensive proposition.
Therefore, we will also be giving you our recommendations for which DLC packs to get and which ones you can skip entirely.
The Sims 4 expansion packs explained
Expansion packs are the big bits of DLC for The Sims 4 which include the major new features. Currently there are eight expansions with a ninth expansion on the way. You can find out more about this ninth expansion pack in our everything we know about The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle guide.
Each expansion pack has a retail price of £34.99 / $39.99 / 39.99€ but are frequently discounted in the Origin Store. To find out what is in each expansion pack, click the expansion pack name below to be redirected to the table with all of its features.
Expansion pack recommendations
If you’re interested in their features, all of the expansion packs are worth investing in. My personal recommendations for ones to check out first are Get To Work, Cats & Dogs, Seasons, Island Living, and Discover University, but no expansion pack is a “bad” choice.
The Sims 4 game packs explained
Game packs are DLC that are generally lighter in new features than expansion packs, but they’re still a little more substantial than stuff packs. Currently there are eight game packs available, each featuring a range of stuff for your Sims to do, from visiting vacation destinations to solving a mystery about your local neighbourhood.
Game packs have a retail price of £17.99 / $19.99 / 19.99€, but see frequent discounts in the Origin Store. To find out what is in each game pack, click the game pack name below to be redirected to the table with all of its features.
Game pack recommendations
Though a lot of the game packs include some great stuff, I would highly recommend that you consider checking out Jungle Adventure, Vampires, Parenthood, StrangerVille, and Outdoor Retreat as they all include great new features to the game.
The only game pack that I think isn’t worth looking at is the Dine Out pack as it just includes restaurants stuff. If you’re not interested in running the restaurant, then you can safely skip it.
The Sims 4 stuff packs explained
Stuff packs are the smallest of the DLC packs for The Sims 4. Generally you’ll only get new objects and clothing options in each one, but there are exceptions that include a new career, new skills, and more. Since there are a whopping 15 stuff packs, it can be confusing which ones are worth investing in.
Stuff packs normally cost £9.99 / $9.99 / 9.99€, but you’ll likely find them discounted in the Origin Store. If you want to know what’s in each stuff pack, click the stuff pack name below to be redirected to the table with all of its features.
Stuff pack recommendations
Since there are so many stuff packs available, it can be hard to work out which ones are the best buys. I recommend Cool Kitchen, Romantic Garden, Backyard, and Movie Hangout for the stuff they include, as well as Tiny Living for those who want a challenge.
I would also like to point out that My First Pet Stuff requires that you’ve purchased the Cats & Dogs expansion pack, so do not purchase My First Pet Stuff if you don’t own the Cats & Dogs expansion.
The Moschino pack is full of real-world fashion company Moschino’s branding, so if you don’t wish to support a third-party corporate company then you can safely skip this one. However, it does include the fashion photographer branch for the freelancer career.
The Sims 4 bundles
You’re probably looking at all of the DLC available and wondering how you’re ever going to afford all of it. The good news is that it’s not worth buying every DLC pack ever released, and there are ways to reduce the cost to buy them if you so wish.
A few similarly themed DLC packs have been collected together into bundles by EA that are available for £44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€. This is the same price as an expansion pack and a stuff pack combined. The bundles available are as follows:
You can also create your own DLC bundle. I highly recommend combining the packs above to see if it is cheaper than purchasing the bundles directly. You also have a greater amount of freedom when combining bundles as you just need to select any expansion pack, any game pack, and any stuff pack. There are some important stipulations to point out with this: you can’t give bundles as gifts to friends, and if you own all of one pack type, you can’t build a bundle.
If you don’t own The Sims 4 yet, then you get the one-time opportunity to buy The Sims 4 in a bundle with three expansion packs. You’ll then be able to create DLC bundles after purchasing which can then include game packs and stuff packs.
The Sims 4 packs features
Without further ado, here are all of the Sims 4 DLC packs separated by type, along with all of their features. Note that we are summarising a lot of the descriptions here so that we aren’t spoiling too much.
Expansion packs
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Own shops New neighbourhoods: Magnolia Promenade and Sixam New skill: Baking Hospital births Illnesses Aliens via Wormhole Generator New objects New lot assignment: Retail New radio station & TV channels New collectables |
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New neighbourhood: Windenburg New skills: Dancing and DJ Mixing New Aspiration: Leader of the Pack New objects New lot assignment: Café New traits: Dance Machine and Insider New radio station Sims can pick a nude outfit Emotional texts Natural pool colours Special Bar Nights & Happy Hours New foods and drinks exclusive to bars Barista and DJ NPCs Dance party social event New WooHoo locations: Closet and WooHoo bush |
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New neighbourhood: San Myshuno New housing types: Apartments and Penthouses New lot assignments: Arts Center and Karaoke Bar New traits: Unflirty and Vegetarian New aspiration: City Native Many new lot traits Festivals (five in total) Bulletin boards (advertising festivals) New objects New radio stations & TV channels New collectables Sims can visit rabbit-hole venues Street performing Spices Landlord and Vendor NPCs |
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New neighbourhood: Brindleton Bay New lot assignment: Vet Clinic New traits: Cat Lover and Dog Lover New skills: Pet training and Veterinarian New aspiration: Friend of the Animals Many new lot traits New objects New radio station New collectables Stray pets Gourmet pet food Pet treats Simstagram accounts for pets Mystery boxes found by pets New WooHoo location: Brindleton Bay’s lighthouse |
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New careers: Gardener and Scout New skills: Flower arranging and skating New objects New radio station and TV channels New collectables Outerwear clothing Mud/Snowball/Water balloon fights Holiday crafts Grand meals Gift giving Singing holiday songs Making snow angels Taking showers in the rain Playing in the rain Lightning bending Father Winter and Flower Bunny NPCs New WooHoo location: Leaf pile |
Scout is an after school activity. |
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New careers: Acting and Drama Club New Neighbourhood: Del Sol Valley New skills: Acting and Media Production New trait: Self-absorbed New Aspirations: World Famous and Master Actor Three new lot traits Seven new NPC types Seven new pre-made Townies New objects Scars and gold teeth in Create a Sim Blind dates Giving residence keys to good friends New WooHoo locations: Sleeping pod and money vault |
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New career: Conservationist New part time jobs: Diver, Fisherman, and Lifeguard New neighbourhoods: Ohan’ali Town, Lani St. Taz, and Mua Pel’am New traits: Child of the Islands and Child of the Ocean New aspiration: Beach life New lot assignment: Beach Three new lot traits New radio station New objects New collectables Ocean swimming Residential beach lots Pier ladders Building sand castles Dolphins Sharks Turtles Seagulls Snorkeling Floating Suntanning/Sun burning Volcanic activity, such as eruptions Odd jobs Festivals Elemental spirits Kava parties |
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New careers: Education, Engineer, Law, E-Sports Competitor, and Soccer Team Player New skills: Research & Debate and Robotics New aspiration: Academic New neighbourhood: Britechester New lot assignments: Foxbury Commons, UBrite Commons, and University Housing Two new lot traits New objects New life state: Servo Facial piercings Minimalistic tattoos Repo-men Roommates Scholarships Secret society Shower WooHoo Skill classes Student loans Student organisations |
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Game packs
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Camping New skill: Herbalism New townie: Hermit New objects |
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New skill: Wellness Massages Saunas New objects |
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Managing restaurants New objects |
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Vampire perks and powers New neighbourhood: Forgotten Hollow New skills: Pipe Organ and Vampire Lore New aspirations: Master Vampire and Good Vampire New objects |
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Ten new child traits Life lessons for kids Set curfews for kids School projects New skill: Parenting New objects |
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New skills: Archaeology and Selvadoradian Culture Secret Shop New life state: Skeletons Treasures in the temple New objects New collectables |
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A story that affects the look of the town New career: Military New objects |
Military career has two branches: Covert Ops and Officer |
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Spellcaster perks Magic spells Alchemy Familiars |
Stuff packs
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New furniture/objects New fashion items (laid back) A Pre-made patio |
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New furniture/objects New fashion items (trendy) Two pre-made kitchens |
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Spooky candy bowl Spooky party New furniture/objects New fashion items (spooky) Two Pre-made indoor rooms |
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Popcorn popper New fashion items (boho-chic) New Decorative lighting New furniture/objects Ten in-game movies for your Sims |
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Water Fountain New floras and plants New furniture/objects New fashion items (modern/romantic) |
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Trading card battle game & collectables Puppet Theatre New fashion items (kids) |
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Bird feeder Wind chimes New fashion items (casual) New furniture/objects |
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Vanity table New fashion items (posh) |
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New fashion items (retro) |
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Workout videos Earbuds New furniture/objects New fashion items (fitness) Three pre-made gym rooms |
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New objects Hosting play dates |
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New furniture/objects New fashion items (country) |
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New fashion items (pets) Pet print decorations |
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New furniture/objects New fashion items (Moschino) Expanded photography UI Custom magazine covers |
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New furniture/objects New fashion items (low key) |
Thanks so much for reading this Sims 4 packs guide. We hope it has been helpful in assisting you with working out which packs you can safely skip and which ones to buy. If you’re still looking for more Sims 4 guides, check out The Sims 4 cheats guide.
