Labour had "lost one of its sharpest thinkers", leader Ed Miliband said. Conservative Communities Secretary Eric Pickles called the Croydon North MP "a man of great wit and humanity".
Former prime minister Tony Blair hailed Mr Wicks' "complete integrity".
There will be a by-election in the safe seat held by Mr Wicks since 1997.
Mr Miliband said: "He was a brilliant energy minister, he was a deep thinker about welfare and pensions, and Labour to his core.
"Malcolm was also a dedicated constituency MP, always putting the needs of his Croydon constituents first. He was a brilliant campaigner.
"I have lost a wise confidant and most importantly a dear friend and the Labour Party has lost one of its sharpest thinkers. Our thoughts go to Malcolm's wife, Margaret, and his family."
Mr Wicks, a father and grandfather who is understood to have been unwell for some time, died on Saturday.
Mr Blair said: "He had a very basic principle that guided his life: to do what he could for others, to serve, to be committed and to work hard for causes that were always about helping those who needed it most.
"He had complete integrity in all he did and, both as an MP for Croydon and a minister, was immensely popular across the political divide."
Gordon Brown called Mr Wicks "a great thinker, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian".
"I talked to him during his long period of ill-health and I marvelled at his courage and tenacity in fighting his illness," said the former prime minister.
Former foreign secretary David Miliband said Mr Wicks had been a "deep thinker, honest politician, real reformer, brave fighter".
Before becoming an MP, Mr Wicks worked in the urban deprivation unit of the Home Office, as a lecturer and was director of the Family Policy Studies Centre.
He held a variety of ministerial briefs under Mr Blair and Mr Brown - including pensions, science and energy.
Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: "Malcolm's knowledge and passion on energy issues commanded huge respect, and we are all the poorer for his passing."
Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for neighbouring Croydon Central, called his colleague "a great MP for Croydon North and good friend. Drive home from SW1 won't be the same without him".
Mr Wicks' local Labour Party tweeted: "Malcolm Wicks MP will be missed by so many people. He was so hard working and a true servant of the people of Croydon. RIP."
Labour former welfare minister Frank Field said: "Malcolm Wicks was the most honourable, dedicated and genuine MP in the House of Commons."
He had retained his seat in Parliament at the 2010 general election with an increased majority of 16,483.
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