Abstract: Infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms have long been a threat to human health around the world. The development of antibacterial biomaterials can be regarded as a substitute for antibiotics in some cases, among which antibacterial hydrogels are an important class of macromolecular antibacterial agents. Bio-based antibacterial hydrogels can be divided into chitosan, cellulose, starch, sodium alginate and protein-based antibacterial hydrogels according to different matrix types. These substrates have high abundance, good biocompatibility and biodegradability in nature, and are ideal materials for preparing antibacterial hydrogels. In this paper, the development status and application fields of bio-based antibacterial hydrogels in recent years were reviewed, mainly from the types, preparation and application of bio-based antibacterial hydrogels. Finally, the challenges faced by bio-based antibacterial hydrogels and the future development trend were summarized and prospeced.