If you are like me when it comes to Minecraft then you are constantly getting lost while searching for your house especially if you have a mod that adds dimensions. Minecraft is such a big game that I feel a map mod is almost necessary if you are going to explore the world around you. If you were to go looking for a Minecraft client side map mod you will see hundreds of the same-looking maps so I will help narrow the list for you. In this article, I will show you some of the best map mods I have found for Minecraft and hopefully help you find one that is right for you.
#1 Xaero’s World Map and Minimap Mod
This is probably the most well-known and most used map mod in modded Minecraft. This mod adds a fullscreen map you can open up by pressing M and a waypoint function so you will never lose anything ever again. It also adds a minimap that will sit in the top right of your screen.
The only downside to this mod is that it is actually two different mods that run together.
The reason for this is that the creator wanted to make the minimap function separate to allow you to use the world map on any computer. This is the only reason I don’t hold this map mod as the greatest of all time.
#2 Antique Atlas Overlay-Minimap
Antique Atlas mod is one of the more creative mods that you can add to Minecraft. This mod adds a craftable notebook that will open to a map of the world. In the book, you will be able to place waypoints and tell where your player character is. This mod adds something completely unique and not seen in any other map mod. Although this mod may not be the most convenient style of map you can use but I believe it is one of the prettiest out there.
#3 VoxelMap Mod
VoxelMap mod is a great map mod especially if you are going to play online. Unlike the last two map mods, Voxel is a high-definition map that will show every detail of the world. The voxel map works the same as the Xaeros map but will also show all mobs and all players so say goodbye to sneak attacks while you building. The only downside of this mob is when you have an animal or mob farm every single mob will appear on your map although they did recently make a version without this radar feature.
#4 3D Minimap Mod
The 3D Minimap mod is something that nobody thought they wanted until we got it. This mod adds a 3d map which allows you to take a look at the piece of land you are standing on. Now, this mod isn’t just a cool gimmick, it is also a great way to mine. The reason for this is because of one cool feature. When you look at the 3d map model you will notice it shows you a part of what’s underneath you which includes caves and ores. This will make starting the game a breeze as you have quick access to caves and iron to get your game started.
The best thing about this mod is the fact that when you look at the map you will get a nice tiny model of your base. The map actually makes tiny models of all the structures in your world. So if you would love to see a faraway view of your house to see if you need to add anything this mod is for you.
#5Journey Map
The Journeymap mod is the most reliable map mod ever made. The reason for this is because it is so easy to use and it has a simple interface. There is also a real-time mapping feature that allows you to tell what is happening to your world in real-time. There will always be prettier and better maps to use in Minecraft but sometimes the most simple and easiest to use is the best map.
#6 Mapwriter 2
Mapwriter 2 is the smallest and most basic map you can find. The reason this map is on this list is that it is so small that it is usually the map of choice when running a heavily modded world. The minimap isn’t very high definition but functions well enough to be able to tell where you are. The waypoint function is also very simplistic allowing you to have as many waypoints as you will ever need.
The only downside of this map mod is that there is no radar function so you will not be able to tell if there are any mobs or animals nearby. Ignoring the lack of radar this is by far the greatest map to use when playing with those insanely large mods.
Conclusion
Now that I have told you the best map mods, how are you supposed to choose from this list? To be honest there is no single map that is the best as they all kind of work the same. The only real differences are how the minimap looks and what kind of functions they add. Usually, the minimap that looks the cleanest is the one that most people use but the truth is all of them are great in their own right.
If you are looking for a prettier map then Antique Atlas is the mod for you but if you are looking for a more high definition map then Voxel map is for you. You will have to try all of the maps to find your favorite out of the bunch. The one I personally use is Mapwriter 2 as it is the smallest and allows me to run those big mods. It is also the simplest to use in my opinion.