Hydrogels, due to their biocompatibility, flexible synthesis methods, and desirable physical characteristics, have become a preferred material in regenerative medicine. They serve as scaffolds for tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery, and act as adhesives or barriers. This review discusses the properties of hydrogels important for tissue engineering, including network structure, equilibrium swelling, rubber elasticity, and solute transport. Recent research involving various hydrogels polymerized from synthetic and natural monomers is highlighted, along with microfabrication techniques that are advancing the field. Hydrogels are used as scaffolds to provide structural integrity, as barriers to prevent restenosis and thrombosis, as drug depots, and for cell encapsulation. Design considerations include biocompatibility, vascularization, degradation, and the creation of a suitable macro- and microenvironment for cell growth and proliferation. Synthetic hydrogels, such as those based on PHEMA, have been foundational, while natural macromers are gaining popularity due to their inherent biocompatibility. The review also covers the synthesis methods and successful applications of hydrogels in tissue engineering.Hydrogels, due to their biocompatibility, flexible synthesis methods, and desirable physical characteristics, have become a preferred material in regenerative medicine. They serve as scaffolds for tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery, and act as adhesives or barriers. This review discusses the properties of hydrogels important for tissue engineering, including network structure, equilibrium swelling, rubber elasticity, and solute transport. Recent research involving various hydrogels polymerized from synthetic and natural monomers is highlighted, along with microfabrication techniques that are advancing the field. Hydrogels are used as scaffolds to provide structural integrity, as barriers to prevent restenosis and thrombosis, as drug depots, and for cell encapsulation. Design considerations include biocompatibility, vascularization, degradation, and the creation of a suitable macro- and microenvironment for cell growth and proliferation. Synthetic hydrogels, such as those based on PHEMA, have been foundational, while natural macromers are gaining popularity due to their inherent biocompatibility. The review also covers the synthesis methods and successful applications of hydrogels in tissue engineering.