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As customizable biomaterials, hydrogels have attracted great promise in several industries, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing and regenerative medicine. Three-dimensional networks of these hydrophilic polymers exhibit special properties, such as increased water content, soft and flexible texture and biocompatibility, making them excellent candidates to simulate the extracellular matrix and promote cell development and tissue regeneration. In this review paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of hydrogels, focusing on the design concepts, synthesis processes and characterization techniques. Different types of hydrogel materials, including natural polymers, synthetic polymers and hybrid hydrogels, along with their unique properties and applications are discussed. Improvements in hydrogel-based platforms for controlled drug delivery are being investigated. Recent advances in bioprinting processes using hydrogels to create complex tissue constructs with excellent spatial control are also explored. Hydrogel performance is examined across multiple variables, including mechanical properties, degradation behavior and biological interactions, with an emphasis on the importance of tailoring hydrogel qualities for specific applications. This review paper also provides insights into future directions in hydrogel research, including stimuli-sensitive hydrogels, self-healing hydrogels and bioactive hydrogels, which promise promising advances in the field. In general, the aim of this review paper is to provide the reader with a detailed understanding of hydrogels and all of their potential applications, making them a valuable tool for scientists and researchers working on biomaterials and tissue engineering.