This study compared the insertion force, plug harvest consistency, and recipient site creation consistency of 4 different articular cartilage transplantation systems (COR, OATS, Mosaicplasty, and New COR2) during plug insertion using a single-impaction technique. Maximum insertion forces fell into 3 statistically different groups: group 1, OATS 8-mm (238 N) and 10-mm (215 N) systems; group 2, COR 6-mm (133 N) and 8-mm (176 N), Mosaicplasty, 6.5-mm (147 N) and 8.5-mm (134 N), and OATS 6-mm (137 N) systems; and group 3, New COR2 6-mm (68 N), 8-mm (55 N), and 10-mm (54 N) systems (P < or = .05). OATS compaction pressures were 172 N (6 mm), 353 N (8 mm), and 550 N (10 mm). COR, New COR2, and Mosaicplasty donor plugs were created consistently, but the Mosaicplasty system required toggling. OATS plugs had inconsistent lengths but required no toggling. Insertion forces with the New COR2 system were statistically the lowest. Compaction significantly increased surface forces.