The vanilla version of Minecraft isn’t just a sandbox in-game, but it’s also become a sandbox of unlimited possibilities with mods. If you’re in need of some inspiration to take your game to the next level, take a look below at our list of the top 15 mods for Minecraft in 2023.
The 15 Best Minecraft Mods in 2023
- Optifine
- Just Enough Items
- The One Probe
- Xaero’s Minimap
- Mouse Tweaks
- Serene Seasons
- Faithful 64x
- Oh The Biomes You’ll Go
- Creeper Overhaul
- NoCubes
- Step It Up
- Epic Fight
- YUNG’s Better Nether Fortresses
- The Twilight Forest
- Immersive Portals
Optifine
This one has origins back to the Minecraft beta, but it’s still a necessity for new players. While the primary benefit of Optifine is that it’s an optimization mod that allows it to run better, especially for those on older PCs, it also provides numerous configuration options and full support for shaders and HD textures. This has made it the basis for most visual mods you’ll come across. It’s worth pointing out that it still has some incompatibilities with some mods though, including some on this list.
Just Enough Items (JEI)
It’s not uncommon to have a separate browser window ready in case you need to search for recipes. Just Enough Items exists to save you loads of time by displaying every block and item available (including those placed by other mods) as well as their crafting recipes. It can all conveniently be accessed through the inventory screen.
The One Probe
If you’re the kind of player who wants all potential information in front of you at all times, The One Probe is the mod for you. All you need to do is look at a block or mob while holding a probe item (or change it to work whenever) to see all the relevant info you could want. This includes its name, the contents of a chest, the effects a potion might have on a mob, and a whole lot more.
Xaero’s Minimap
It’s no secret that the vanilla map function is a bit on the clunky side. Xaero’s Minimap provides a much better alternative by displaying a minimap that tracks players, items, mobs, and even waypoints that can be teleported to. The dedication to keeping the vanilla aesthetic helps it blend in like an official addition.
Mouse Tweaks
It feels impossible to play Minecraft again without this mod. The monotonous action of dragging items into individual slots is gone with Mouse Tweaks. Multiple functions are added that allow you to drag items onto multiple slots, making crafting and inventory management a whole lot more efficient.
Serene Seasons
Serene Seasons adds a simple season system to your world. The color of foliage, growth rate of crops, and even the chances of different weather effects like rain or snow will change depending on the season. It’s even compatible with biome mods and allows for some nice visual consistency.
Faithful 64x
Whether you’ve seen it in memes or from official updates, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered how Minecraft would look with higher-resolution textures. Faithful 64x accomplishes this while still retaining the same vanilla aesthetic. The Bedrock version of the mod is also a favorite of ours when it comes to the best mobile Minecraft mods.
Oh The Biomes You’ll Go
Even if you start up a new world, Minecraft can start to feel a little redundant with everything you come across. Oh The Biomes You’ll Go spruces up any world with over 80 new biomes. There’s certainly something for those who enjoy realistic terrains, but some of the most jaw-dropping biomes are the larger ones rooted in fantasy.
Related: Minecraft: How to Use the Biome Finder
Creeper Overhaul
Sometimes you don’t need brand-new enemy mobs, you just need some nice variation. Creeper Overhaul replaces the original mob we all know and love with biome-specific versions. They blend into their environments extremely well and range from cute to creepy. Additional related resource packs bring them all more to life.
NoCubes
From the land itself to the general body layout of every NPC and enemy you come across, Minecraft is defined by its blocky world. NoCubes shakes things up a bit by overhauling the terrain into a more natural and smooth landscape. Sloped hills and rounded caves make this feel like a whole new game.
Step It Up
Jumping up blocks can feel tedious and the Auto Jump function isn’t as smooth as you’d think. With similar mods falling behind in updates, the recent Step It Up mod is here to fill the need. Download this if you want to automatically walk up blocks with no awkward hitching.
Epic Fight
If you’ve ever wanted a more extensive combat system, perhaps with some Soulslike combat, Epic Fight might be what you’re looking for. Not only does it add new animations and attacks for both the player and enemy mobs, but it also adds unique attributes such as armor negation and weight.
YUNG’s Better Nether Fortresses
You can rest assured that mods from YUNGNICKYOUNG are going to be top quality and their latest is no different. YUNG’s Better Nether Fortresses transforms the structures into something a lot more intimidating with bigger and more complex designs.
The Twilight Forest
The Twilight Forest is another mod that’s a decade old at this point, but it’s still supported today with ongoing development. Players just need to make a special portal to access the expansive new dimension filled with new blocks, bosses, and everything in between.
Immersive Portals
Immersive Portals takes away any related loading screens and allows you to seamlessly travel through portals and see what’s on the other side. Other incredible features (albeit taxing for some systems) included are mirrors, world-wrapping portals to create infinite reflections, and dimension stacking via vertical portals. This version of the mod is specifically for use with Forge, but the modpage also includes a link to one that works with Fabric.
Those are our choices for the 15 Best Minecraft mods in 2023. If you’re looking for other modding content or some simple tips for the in-game content, check out our library of Minecraft guides.
