Ad blockers were once the domain of power users and privacy purists. In 2026, they’re firmly mainstream—and increasingly essential. That shift is at the heart of the newly announced 2026 Editors’ Choice Ad Blockers Awards from All About Cookies, which recognize the best tools for blocking intrusive ads
, reducing tracking, and improving the overall browsing experience.
“For a lot of people, ads aren’t just annoying anymore — they’re unsettling,” said Kalleigh Lane, Managing Editor at All About Cookies. “It’s not just how many ads you see, but how much tracking happens behind the scenes to deliver them. People want the ability to browse the internet in peace, without feeling watched.”
To select this year’s winners, the All About Cookies editorial team and privacy experts evaluated 21 widely used ad blockers. Each product was assessed through hands‑on testing using a standardized scoring framework designed to objectively measure real‑world performance. Testing focused on key criteria including ad and tracker blocking effectiveness across major browsers and devices, transparency around data practices, and ease of use.
The resulting awards highlight ad blockers that stood out across multiple use cases, from simple, set‑it‑and‑forget‑it tools for everyday users to more advanced options offering granular control over trackers, scripts, and privacy settings.
“For a lot of people, ads aren’t just annoying anymore — they’re unsettling,” said Kalleigh Lane, Managing Editor at All About Cookies. “It’s not just how many ads you see, but how much tracking happens behind the scenes to deliver them. People want the ability to browse the internet in peace, without feeling watched.”
The awards arrive at a moment when online advertising is more aggressive, automated, and data‑driven than ever. According to original research from All About Cookies, 68% of U.S. adults now use an ad blocker, citing concerns around excessive ads, tracking, and data collection. That widespread adoption highlights a growing need for ad blockers that users can trust.
“Ads have become more than just a nuisance; they’re a privacy concern,” said Lane. “The conversation has shifted from ‘Should you use an ad blocker?’ to ‘Which one can you trust?’”
By focusing on real‑world performance, transparency, and usability, All About Cookies positions its Editors’ Choice Awards as a consumer‑first counterweight to an increasingly complex ad ecosystem. They guide consumers toward effective tools, and they signal to the industry which practices are no longer acceptable.
The 2026 awards aren’t just a checklist of features—they’re a statement that ad blocking has become a normalized part of digital life. The conversation has shifted from “Should you use an ad blocker?” to “Which one can you trust?”
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