This review summarizes the latest advancements in hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. With the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) due to aging, lifestyle factors, and reduced physical activity, there is a growing need for effective and minimally invasive treatments. Traditional methods such as microfracture, Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), and Mosaicplasty have limitations, including invasiveness and incomplete tissue repair. Tissue engineering, particularly cartilage tissue engineering, offers a promising alternative with the potential for complete tissue regeneration. Hydrogels, due to their similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM), have emerged as ideal candidates for cartilage tissue engineering. They can mimic the mechanical and biological properties of cartilage, promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and deliver growth factors and nutrients. Injectable hydrogels, in particular, offer advantages such as adaptability to irregular tissue defects and the ability to be administered through catheters or needles, reducing the need for invasive surgery. Various natural and synthetic biomaterials have been explored for the production of injectable hydrogels, including collagen/gelatin, alginate, chitosan, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Each of these materials has unique properties that make them suitable for different applications in cartilage tissue engineering. For example, collagen-based hydrogels have been shown to support chondrocyte growth and ECM production, while alginate-based hydrogels have been modified to improve mechanical properties and cell viability. Synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and poly (L-glutamic acid) have also been used to create injectable hydrogels with favorable mechanical and biological properties. These hydrogels can be further modified or combined with other biomaterials to enhance their performance. In addition to hydrogels, other strategies such as decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogels and magnetic hydrogels have been investigated for cartilage tissue engineering. dECM hydrogels retain the natural structure and biological components of the ECM, making them highly biocompatible and effective for tissue regeneration. Magnetic hydrogels, which incorporate magnetic nanoparticles, offer the potential for targeted drug delivery and remote control of cell behavior. Overall, hydrogels represent a promising approach for cartilage tissue engineering, offering a range of benefits including biocompatibility, mechanical similarity to cartilage, and the ability to deliver therapeutic agents. Continued research and development in this area are essential to improve the effectiveness and clinical application of hydrogels for cartilage repair and regeneration.This review summarizes the latest advancements in hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. With the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) due to aging, lifestyle factors, and reduced physical activity, there is a growing need for effective and minimally invasive treatments. Traditional methods such as microfracture, Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), and Mosaicplasty have limitations, including invasiveness and incomplete tissue repair. Tissue engineering, particularly cartilage tissue engineering, offers a promising alternative with the potential for complete tissue regeneration. Hydrogels, due to their similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM), have emerged as ideal candidates for cartilage tissue engineering. They can mimic the mechanical and biological properties of cartilage, promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and deliver growth factors and nutrients. Injectable hydrogels, in particular, offer advantages such as adaptability to irregular tissue defects and the ability to be administered through catheters or needles, reducing the need for invasive surgery. Various natural and synthetic biomaterials have been explored for the production of injectable hydrogels, including collagen/gelatin, alginate, chitosan, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Each of these materials has unique properties that make them suitable for different applications in cartilage tissue engineering. For example, collagen-based hydrogels have been shown to support chondrocyte growth and ECM production, while alginate-based hydrogels have been modified to improve mechanical properties and cell viability. Synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and poly (L-glutamic acid) have also been used to create injectable hydrogels with favorable mechanical and biological properties. These hydrogels can be further modified or combined with other biomaterials to enhance their performance. In addition to hydrogels, other strategies such as decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogels and magnetic hydrogels have been investigated for cartilage tissue engineering. dECM hydrogels retain the natural structure and biological components of the ECM, making them highly biocompatible and effective for tissue regeneration. Magnetic hydrogels, which incorporate magnetic nanoparticles, offer the potential for targeted drug delivery and remote control of cell behavior. Overall, hydrogels represent a promising approach for cartilage tissue engineering, offering a range of benefits including biocompatibility, mechanical similarity to cartilage, and the ability to deliver therapeutic agents. Continued research and development in this area are essential to improve the effectiveness and clinical application of hydrogels for cartilage repair and regeneration.