Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks created by crosslinking hydrophilic polymer chains. These networks, made from either natural or synthetic polymers, can absorb a significant amount of water, giving the material a soft consistency similar to living tissues. The rise in microbial infections, particularly those impacting wound healing and causing biomedical implant failures, has driven the innovation of new materials with antimicrobial properties. These specialized hydrogels incorporate antimicrobial agents or possess inherent antimicrobial properties, offering promising solutions for medical applications such as wound healing, infection prevention, and tissue engineering. Their biocompatibility makes hydrogels an ideal foundation for creating materials with targeted antimicrobial effects. Antimicrobial hydrogels can be achieved by incorporating or covalently attaching known antimicrobial agents, or by designing the hydrogel to have inherent anti-microbial capabilities. This review presents an overview of these innovative antimicrobial hydrogels, highlighting their applications, effectiveness, and limitations.