This comprehensive review explores the creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and applications of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. HA hydrogels stand out due to their exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), making them ideal for various biomedical purposes. The review covers different cross-linking techniques, including chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods, which significantly impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Techniques such as rheological analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, swelling tests, and degradation studies are used to assess these properties. HA hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, ophthalmology, and cartilage repair. The review highlights the versatility of HA hydrogels and their potential in advancing biomedicine, emphasizing the importance of understanding their synthesis and characteristics for future research and innovation.This comprehensive review explores the creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and applications of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. HA hydrogels stand out due to their exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), making them ideal for various biomedical purposes. The review covers different cross-linking techniques, including chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods, which significantly impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Techniques such as rheological analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, swelling tests, and degradation studies are used to assess these properties. HA hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, ophthalmology, and cartilage repair. The review highlights the versatility of HA hydrogels and their potential in advancing biomedicine, emphasizing the importance of understanding their synthesis and characteristics for future research and innovation.