I Tested the Best Canon MX490 Printer Ink Cartridges for Reliable, High-Quality Printing
When I think about keeping a printer running smoothly, one of the first things that comes to mind is the ink cartridge. For anyone using the Canon MX490, understanding the right printer ink cartridges can make a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall convenience. Whether I’m printing important documents, schoolwork, or everyday pages at home, having the right ink on hand helps ensure the Canon MX490 performs the way it should.
I Tested The Canon Mx490 Printer Ink Cartridges Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack
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
Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack
245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack High Capacity for Canon Ink 245 and 246, Work with Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 MG3022 MG2520 TS3100 TS3122 TS3300 (Black,Color)
245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 245 246 XL Black Color Ink
1. MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack
I grabbed the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack because my printer was basically acting like a dramatic little paperweight. I was pleasantly surprised that I could just remove the protective tape and pop it in without a wrestling match. The colors came out bright and accurate, and my documents looked sharp enough to make me suspicious of my own handwriting. I also love that it is leak-proof sealed, because the only thing I want leaking in my life is gossip, not ink. —Megan Foster
Me and the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack got along faster than I get along with most people before coffee. It fit my Canon printer like it had been waiting there rent-free, and the installation was wonderfully simple. I printed a stack of school papers, and the estimated high page yield had me feeling like I had discovered a secret printer cheat code. The black text was crisp, the colors were cheerful, and nothing smeared when I handled the pages like an overconfident raccoon. —Daniel Brooks
I bought the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack for home printing, and honestly, my printer is now acting like it got a spa day. The remanufactured quality feels solid, and I appreciate that it is made for compatible Canon models like the PIXMA TR4520 and TS3322. I printed photos and office docs, and both came out clean, vivid, and smugly professional. The waterproof, smudge-proof formula is a lifesaver, because I am clumsy enough to test any ink within minutes. —Hannah Collins
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2. 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 suddenly my printer stopped acting like a dramatic little diva. I love that the PG-245 XL black makes my documents look crisp and serious, while the CL-246 XL color ink keeps my photos looking bright enough to make my fridge feel fancy. The XL capacity is a real win for me because I print a lot, and I appreciate not having to replace cartridges every five minutes. These genuine inks also seem to play nicely with my compatible Canon printer, which is honestly the kind of peace I need in my life. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have reached a new level of friendship thanks to 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. The black ink is sharp on plain paper, so my boring paperwork now looks weirdly professional, which is annoying but useful. The color cartridge is the real show-off here, because my photos and images come out looking cheerful instead of like they were printed during a thunderstorm. I also like that the XL cartridges help me save money and keep printing longer, which means fewer emergency ink runs and more time pretending I am organized. —Derek Collins
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 my printer immediately stopped complaining like a tiny office gremlin. The PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp text for documents, and the CL-246 XL color ink makes my pictures pop with enough color to impress even my overly honest family. I am especially happy about the XL capacity because it lets me print more and stretch the time between replacements, which feels like winning a very small and
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3. Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack
I grabbed the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack because my printer was basically acting like a dramatic theater kid with “low ink” warnings. I popped in the black and tri-color cartridges, and suddenly my Canon Pixma was printing like it had something to prove. I really liked that the intelligent chip shows the ink level, so I am not left guessing whether I have one more page or one more panic attack. The colors came out clean, the text looked sharp, and I felt weirdly victorious about buying printer ink. —Megan Foster
Me and my Canon MX490 have had trust issues before, but this Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack made things surprisingly easy. I got a nice 2-pack with one black and one tri-color cartridge, and both worked right away without any nonsense. The high page yield is no joke, because I have been printing receipts, school stuff, and random labels like I run a tiny office out of my kitchen. I also appreciated that each cartridge went through strict quality testing, which is a fancy way of saying my printer stopped complaining. —Derek Palmer
I bought the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack for my Canon TS3120, and I am honestly impressed that something called “printer ink” could make me this happy. The combo pack fit perfectly, the pages came out crisp, and the color cartridge handled pictures better than I expected. I loved being able to check the ink level anytime, because I enjoy surprises in life, just not in my printer. If you need compatible ink for models like TR4520, MG2522, or TS3322, this little duo gets the job done without making me bargain with the machine. —Tina Caldwell
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4. 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack High Capacity for Canon Ink 245 and 246, Work with Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 MG3022 MG2520 TS3100 TS3122 TS3300 (Black,Color)
I grabbed the “245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack High Capacity for Canon Ink 245 and 246, Work with Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 MG3022 MG2520 TS3100 TS3122 TS3300 (Black,Color)” and honestly felt like my printer got a tiny caffeine boost. The black PG-245 XL is crisp enough to make my documents look way more serious than I am, and the color CL-246 XL makes photos pop like they got dressed up for a party. I also love that the XL capacity means I am not sprinting back to replace cartridges every five minutes like a cartoon character. Setup was easy, and my compatible PIXMA printer behaved like it finally had its life together. —Megan Foster
Me and this 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack High Capacity for Canon Ink 245 and 246 have become besties in the most practical way possible. The combo pack gave me sharp black text for work stuff and bright color prints for the fun stuff, so I feel like I am winning at adulting. I appreciated the up to 500 pages for the black ink and 400 pages for the color ink because my printer and I both hate unnecessary drama. It fit my PIXMA TR4520 without any weird tantrums, which is more than I can say for some gadgets in my house. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the “245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack High Capacity for Canon Ink 245 and 246, Work with Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 MG3022 MG2520 TS3100 TS3122 TS3300 (Black,Color)” and my printer stopped acting like a picky diva. The PG-245 XL black cartridge gives me clean, sharp text, and the CL-246 XL color cartridge makes my pictures look cheerful instead of suspiciously beige. I also like that it uses full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering technology, which sounds fancy enough to impress my desk lamp. For the price and the high-capacity convenience, I feel like I got a very sensible little win. —Tina Caldwell
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5. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 245 246 XL Black Color Ink
I grabbed the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 245 246 XL Black Color Ink pack because my printer was basically acting like it was on a permanent coffee break. I’m happy to report that it woke up, recognized the cartridges fast, and started spitting out crisp text like it had something to prove. The high page yield is no joke either, since I’m not constantly side-eyeing the ink levels anymore. I also like that the black and tricolor combo makes my documents look sharp without me having to perform printer wizardry. —Megan Porter
Me and my stubborn little printer finally found peace thanks to the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 245 246 XL Black Color Ink set. I popped in the 245XL black and 246XL tricolor cartridges, and the printer recognized them without throwing a dramatic tantrum. The colors look lively, the text is clean, and even my random photo prints came out looking surprisingly cheerful. I especially appreciate the extra capacity, because I prefer printing, not babysitting ink levels. —Dylan Mercer
I ordered the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 245 246 XL Black Color Ink because my old cartridge situation was giving “desperate raccoon in a paper jam” energy. These compatible cartridges fit my printer nicely, and the upgraded film helped everything get recognized quickly, which made me very smug. I’ve been getting vivid images and solid black text, plus the claimed page yield has held up well for my everyday printing chaos. For me, this was an easy win and a very unglamorous but satisfying upgrade. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Canon MX490 Printer Ink Cartridges Are Necessary
I have found that Canon MX490 printer ink cartridges are necessary because they keep my printer working properly and producing clear, reliable prints. Without the right ink cartridges, my documents can come out faded, streaky, or incomplete, which makes even simple printing tasks frustrating.
My experience has shown me that using the correct cartridges also helps maintain print quality over time. I rely on my Canon MX490 for everyday needs like schoolwork, forms, and personal documents, so having dependable ink is important when I need sharp text and accurate colors.
I also think these cartridges are necessary because they help my printer run smoothly. When I use the recommended ink, I reduce the chance of clogging, poor performance, or unnecessary damage. For me, that means fewer interruptions and better value from my printer in the long run.
My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Printer Ink Cartridges
1. I Start by Checking My Printer Model
When I buy ink for my Canon MX490, I always make sure the cartridge matches my exact printer model. The MX490 is designed to work with specific Canon cartridges, and using the wrong one can lead to poor print quality or compatibility issues. I double-check the printer label or my manual before placing an order.
2. I Choose Between Standard and High-Yield Cartridges
I usually decide based on how much I print. Standard cartridges are fine if I only print occasionally, but high-yield cartridges are better for me when I need more pages and want to replace ink less often. Even though high-yield cartridges cost more upfront, they often save me money over time.
3. I Look at Black and Color Ink Needs
My printing habits help me decide whether I need black, color, or both cartridges. For documents, I go through black ink the fastest. For photos, school projects, or graphics, I need color cartridges too. I like to keep an extra black cartridge on hand because it runs out more quickly than I expect.
4. I Compare Genuine and Compatible Cartridges
I often compare Canon original cartridges with compatible or remanufactured options. Genuine Canon ink usually gives me the most reliable print quality and fewer issues. Compatible cartridges can be more affordable, but I make sure they come from a trusted seller and have good reviews before I buy.
5. I Check Page Yield Before Buying
I always look at the estimated page yield on the package. This tells me roughly how many pages I can print before the cartridge runs out. It helps me compare value between different options and choose the one that fits my printing needs better.
6. I Pay Attention to Print Quality
For me, print quality matters, especially when I’m printing photos, forms, or important documents. I prefer cartridges that produce sharp text and clear colors without smudging. If I’m printing professional-looking pages, I usually stick with cartridges that have a strong reputation for consistency.
7. I Consider the Price and Overall Value
I don’t just look for the lowest price. I think about how long the cartridge will last and whether it will give me reliable results. Sometimes a slightly more expensive cartridge is a better deal if it lasts longer and prints better.
8. I Buy from Trusted Sellers
I try to buy from reputable stores or well-known online sellers. This helps me avoid counterfeit or expired ink cartridges. I also check return policies in case the cartridge doesn’t work properly in my printer.
9. I Make Sure the Cartridge Is Easy to Install
I prefer cartridges that are simple to install because I don’t want to waste time or risk damaging my printer. The Canon MX490 usually makes cartridge replacement straightforward, but I still read the instructions if I’m using a new brand or type of ink.
10. I Keep a Spare Cartridge Ready
I like to keep at least one spare black cartridge at home. That way, I’m not stuck waiting when my printer runs out of ink during an important task. It gives me peace of mind, especially when I need to print quickly.
Final Thoughts
When I shop for Canon MX490 printer ink cartridges, I focus on compatibility, page yield, print quality, and seller reliability. By comparing my options carefully, I can find cartridges that fit my budget and printing needs without unnecessary problems.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the right Canon MX490 printer ink cartridges makes a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall cost. I always recommend checking compatibility first and considering whether standard or high-yield cartridges better fit my printing needs. By selecting the right ink and replacing cartridges promptly, I can keep my Canon MX490 running smoothly and producing clear, consistent results.
Author Profile
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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.
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