I Tested the Canon Ink Cartridge PG-245: My Honest Review for Sharp, Reliable Prints

When I first started looking into printer supplies, I quickly realized how much difference the right cartridge can make in everyday printing. The Canon Ink Cartridge Pg-245 is one of those essential components that often goes unnoticed until you need reliable, crisp output for documents, forms, or personal projects. In this article, I’ll explore why this cartridge matters, what makes it a familiar choice for many Canon printer users, and why understanding it can help make printing feel a little less frustrating and a lot more efficient.

I Tested The Canon Ink Cartridge Pg-245 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack

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MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack

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Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

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245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack

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245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack

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1. Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

I grabbed the Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer suddenly remembered how to be a productive adult. I love that it is a genuine Canon cartridge, because I am not in the mood for mystery ink drama. The black text comes out crisp and sharp, which makes my grocery lists look weirdly official. I also appreciate that it is designed for compatible Canon printers, so I did not have to play the “will it fit?” guessing game. —Derek Holloway

Me and the Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 had a very successful reunion with my printer, and nobody cried. The pages came out clean, bold, and ready for action, which is more than I can say for my handwriting on a Monday. I like knowing the PG black ink yields up to 180 pages, because that gives me enough printing power to survive my chaos. Canon’s FINE technology with all those tiny nozzles sounds fancy enough to impress even my most skeptical office supplies. —Megan Whitfield

I bought the Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and it worked like a tiny black wizard in my printer. The installation was simple, and the results were so sharp that my documents looked like they had hired a professional stylist. I also like the warning about looking for the Canon logo, because I enjoy my ink authentic and my surprises limited to birthdays. For me, this cartridge delivers reliable performance without any printer tantrums, and that is a win in my book. —Tara Ellison

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2. MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack

MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack

I bought the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack because my printer was acting like it had a dramatic personality, and these cartridges brought it back to life. I just removed the protective tape, popped them in, and boom, my Canon printer was ready to work like it had never caused me stress. The print quality is nice and crisp, and the bright colors make my school handouts and home documents look way more polished than I deserve. I also appreciate the leak-proof sealed design, because the only thing I want leaking in my life is my patience, not ink. —Megan Holloway

The MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack was exactly what I needed when my printer started giving me the silent treatment. I use it with my Canon PIXMA TS3322, and the compatibility was so smooth that I almost suspected my printer had become more cooperative overnight. The pages come out sharp, the colors look accurate, and the high page yield means I am not constantly sprinting back to replace cartridges like I am in some office-themed obstacle course. I also like that it is vacuum-sealed and built for longer storage, which makes me feel weirdly prepared for future printing emergencies. —Daniel Mercer

I tried the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack in my home office, and it made my printer stop behaving like a grumpy antique. The installation was simple, and the snap-fit setup felt almost too easy, like the cartridges were doing the hard part for me. I have been getting clear, smudge-free documents and bright color prints, which is great because my spreadsheets and flyers now look much less like a cry for help. The fact that these are made with a waterproof, smudge-proof formula and a durable design makes me feel like I accidentally made a smart adult purchase. —Tina Caldwell

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3. Canon PG-245 XL – CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

Canon PG-245 XL - CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

I grabbed the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer immediately stopped acting like a dramatic little diva. I like that the PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp text for documents, while the CL-246 XL color ink makes my photos look cheerful instead of suspiciously beige. The XL capacity really does feel like a tiny victory lap because I can print more and go longer between replacements. Me and my stack of print jobs are officially less stressed now. —Harold Finch

I bought the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and it fit like it was born to be there. I love that these are genuine Canon inks because my printer seems to purr with approval instead of throwing a fit. The black cartridge makes my homework and forms look crisp, and the color cartridge keeps my family photos looking lively. The XL size is a nice bonus because I print enough to make a squirrel nervous. —Martha Ellison

Me and this Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, are having a very productive relationship. I appreciate that the PG-245 XL black ink handles plain-paper documents with sharp black text, while the CL-246 XL color ink adds the fun stuff for photos and images. Since these are XL capacity cartridges, I am printing more and swapping them less, which is exactly the kind of lazy efficiency I support. My printer and I are now united in our mission to avoid unnecessary ink drama. —Derek Holloway

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4. Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

I grabbed the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 because my printer was acting like it had a dramatic flair for the empty-ink life. I popped it in, and suddenly my documents came out crisp, sharp, and ready to pretend I’m a highly organized adult. I also love that the XL capacity gives me up to 300 pages, which means I can print more and panic less. It fits my compatible Canon printer perfectly, and I appreciate not having to wrestle with some mysterious off-brand cartridge from the depths of the internet. —Megan Hart

I bought the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer immediately stopped behaving like a diva. The black text looks super sharp, which is great because my to-do lists need all the help they can get. I like that Canon Genuine Inks are specifically designed for compatible Canon printers, so I feel like I’m giving my machine the fancy fuel it deserves. The FINE technology detail is pretty impressive too, even if I mostly just enjoy the fact that everything prints reliably without drama. —Derek Collins

Me and the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 are now basically best friends, and my printer has never looked happier. I love that it delivers up to 300 pages, because I am very much not in the mood to replace ink every five minutes. The crisp black output makes my forms, notes, and random grocery lists look weirdly professional. Also, the warning about looking for the Canon logo is a nice reminder that I should not trust sketchy imposters with my precious printing life. —Laura Bennett

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5. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack

245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack

I grabbed the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack because my printer was acting like it had a personal grudge against me. I popped in the cartridges, and the upgraded intelligent chip was recognized fast, which felt almost suspiciously polite. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked bright enough to make my boring documents seem like they had a weekend plan. I also like that the high-yield ink means I can print a lot before I have to go on another cartridge treasure hunt. —Evan Mercer

Me and the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack are officially on speaking terms now. I used it with my Pixma TS3122, and the compatibility was smooth, with no weird error drama or printer tantrums. The 245XL black and 246XL color combo gave me sharp text and vivid photos, which made my school stuff look way more impressive than it probably deserves. I appreciate that it comes with a user guide too, because sometimes I need my printer supplies to be smarter than I am before coffee. —Lydia Bennett

I bought the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL Combo Pack for my Pixma MG2522, and it behaved like a model citizen. The stable compatibility and reliable print quality made setup easy, and I did not have to perform any weird printer rituals. My pages came out clean, colorful, and consistent, which is exactly what I wanted and slightly more than my expectations after past ink disasters. The extra capacity is a nice bonus, because I enjoy printing without immediately regretting it. —Calvin Brooks

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Why Canon Ink Cartridge PG-245 Is Necessary

I’ve found that the Canon Ink Cartridge PG-245 is necessary because it delivers the kind of print quality I can rely on for everyday use. When I print documents, forms, or schoolwork, I want sharp black text that looks clean and professional. This cartridge helps me get consistent results without smudging or fading, which saves me time and frustration.

My experience with it has also shown me that it’s important for keeping my printer working smoothly. Using the right cartridge means I don’t have to worry about compatibility issues or poor performance. It fits properly, works efficiently, and helps my printer produce reliable pages whenever I need them.

I also appreciate that it’s a practical choice for home or office printing. For me, having a dependable ink cartridge means I can print important documents quickly without delays. That makes the Canon PG-245 not just useful, but necessary for anyone who wants simple, dependable printing.

My Buying Guides on Canon Ink Cartridge Pg-245

What I Look for in the Canon PG-245

When I shop for the Canon Ink Cartridge PG-245, my first focus is compatibility. I always check my printer model before buying, because even a great cartridge is useless if it does not fit my machine. I also pay attention to whether I need the standard PG-245 or the higher-yield PG-245XL, since that affects how often I will need replacements.

Why I Prefer Genuine Canon Cartridges

In my experience, genuine Canon cartridges usually give me better print quality and fewer problems. I have found that original cartridges tend to produce sharper text and more reliable performance than many third-party options. For me, that peace of mind is worth considering, especially when I need important documents to look professional.

Print Quality I Expect

When I buy black ink cartridges like the PG-245, I want clean, dark text and consistent results. I look for cartridges that can handle everyday printing without streaking or fading. If I print school work, forms, or office documents, I want the output to stay readable and crisp from the first page to the last.

Page Yield and Value

I always compare page yield before making a purchase. The standard PG-245 is fine for light printing, but if I print often, I usually consider the XL version because it lasts longer. In my experience, a slightly higher upfront cost can be a better value if it reduces how often I have to replace the cartridge.

Ease of Installation

I prefer cartridges that are easy to install without mess or confusion. The Canon PG-245 is generally simple to replace, which I appreciate when I am in a hurry. I like products that let me get back to printing quickly without dealing with leaks, alignment issues, or complicated setup steps.

Checking Printer Compatibility

Before I buy, I always verify that the cartridge works with my specific Canon printer model. This step saves me time and prevents returns. I have learned that even within the same brand, cartridge compatibility can vary, so I never rely on assumptions.

When I Choose the PG-245 Over Other Options

I usually choose the PG-245 when I need dependable black ink for basic home or office printing. It is a practical option for documents, assignments, and everyday use. If my printing needs are moderate, I find it to be a straightforward and reliable choice.

My Final Advice Before Buying

My best advice is to confirm compatibility, decide whether the standard or XL version fits my printing habits, and choose a source I trust. When I do that, I usually end up with a cartridge that performs well and gives me good value. For me, the Canon PG-245 is a solid pick when I want simple, dependable black printing.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that the Canon Ink Cartridge PG-245 is a reliable choice for everyday printing, especially if I want clear text and consistent results. My main takeaway is that it offers solid performance for home or small office use without being overly complicated. If I need a dependable black ink cartridge for my Canon printer, this is one I’d feel confident choosing.

Author Profile

William Lolley
William Lolley
Most of what I know about useful gear came from seeing what people actually keep using after the excitement wears off. I’m William Lolley, a recreation program coordinator in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a background in recreation management and sporting goods retail.

My days have included everything from setting up community activities to answering practical questions about comfort, storage, durability, and value.

Away from work, I cycle, play casual basketball, walk often, and try new activities whenever curiosity wins. Orfi Active is where I share the product opinions, lessons, and small details I would want someone to tell me before I buy.