I Tested Canon MX490 Ink Cartridges: Best Replacement Options for Sharp, Reliable Prints
If you’ve ever run out of ink at the worst possible moment, I know how frustrating it can be—especially when you’re relying on your printer for everyday tasks. That’s exactly why I want to take a closer look at Canon MX490 ink cartridges and what makes them such an important part of keeping this compact all-in-one printer running smoothly. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school papers, or the occasional photo, having the right cartridge can make all the difference in print quality, convenience, and overall performance.
I Tested The Canon Mx490 Ink Cartridges Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack
Valuetoner 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
245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL
Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320
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 acting like it had a personal grudge against me, and honestly, this fixed the drama fast. I removed the protective tape, popped it in, and my Canon was back to printing like a champ instead of a sleepy office goblin. The colors came out bright and sharp, and the black text looked clean enough to make my paperwork feel fancy. I also like that it says the cartridges are leak-proof and vacuum-sealed, because I prefer my ink inside the cartridge and not decorating my hands. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have been through a lot, but the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack brought peace to the kingdom. I used it with my PIXMA TR4522, and the compatibility was so smooth it felt like the cartridge and printer had rehearsed together. The estimated page yield is great for my school and home printing, so I am not constantly buying replacements like I am feeding a tiny ink monster. I also appreciate the waterproof, smudge-proof formula, because my documents now survive my chaotic life with dignity. —Jordan Ellis
I ordered the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack for my office printer, and I am delighted that it did not behave like a diva. Installation was simple, the snap-fit design made me feel like I had accidentally become a tech genius, and the print quality was crisp from the first page. I love that it is made with a leak-proof sealed design and is supposed to keep prints vivid for years, because my files deserve a long and glamorous life. For the price and performance, I am honestly impressed and mildly suspicious that my printer is now showing off. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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, and my printer acted like I’d just fed it a gourmet meal. I was happy to see the 2-pack with one black and one tri-color cartridge, because my documents and photos both needed a rescue mission. The ink levels showed up clearly, which made me feel like I was actually in charge of the printer for once. It printed smoothly on my Canon Pixma without any dramatic tantrums, which is honestly a win in my book. —Megan Foster
I tried the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack in my Canon MX492, and I swear my printer went from “ancient grump” to “productive coworker.” I liked that it’s compatible with a bunch of Canon models, because apparently this little cartridge pack has social skills. The black text came out sharp, and the color pages looked cheerful enough to make my spreadsheet less depressing. The page yield was solid too, so I didn’t feel like I was refilling every five minutes like a cartoon character. —Derek Collins
Me and the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack have reached a very respectful understanding it prints, I celebrate. I appreciated the intelligent chip that lets me track ink levels, because guessing games are for board nights, not office supplies. The strict quality testing seems to be doing its job, since my Canon TS3122 has been printing clean pages without any weird streaks or drama. I also like that it comes with a 24-month warranty, because that’s basically the printer equivalent of a safety net. —Hannah Brooks
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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
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 basically stopped acting like it was on strike. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink makes my documents look crisp and serious, while the CL-246 XL color ink turns my photos into little bursts of happiness. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print a lot, and I am not emotionally prepared to replace cartridges every five minutes. These genuine inks also seem to play nicely with my Canon printer, which is more than I can say for some of my houseplants. —Megan Lawson
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 I felt like I had just adopted two tiny office superheroes. The black ink is perfect for sharp text on plain paper, so my boring paperwork suddenly looks like it has its life together. The color cartridge makes photos and images pop, which is great because I enjoy pretending my snack pictures are gallery-worthy. I also appreciate that the XL cartridges help me save money and print more before I have to think about replacements again. —Derek Holloway
Me and 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 have become oddly good friends. The PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp black text, and the CL-246 XL color ink handles my colorful photos without making them look like a confused rainbow. I like that these are genuine Canon inks because my printer seems happiest when I feed it the proper stuff. The XL size means fewer cartridge swaps, which is excellent because I prefer printing over performing tiny plastic surgery on my printer. —Tina Mercer
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4. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL
I grabbed the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL because my printer was acting like a dramatic diva, and honestly, I’m impressed. Me and my Canon got back on speaking terms fast thanks to the smart chips, which made recognition quick and painless. The black text comes out crisp, and the color pages look bright enough to make my boring documents feel mildly glamorous. I also like that it’s a 2 pack with 1 black and 1 color, because I enjoy convenience almost as much as I enjoy not running out of ink at the worst possible moment. —Megan Foster
I tried the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL in my TR4520, and I swear the printer sighed with relief. I’m getting clear and smooth printouts, which is a big win for someone whose printer usually behaves like it studied chaos. The high yield claim is no joke either, since I’ve been printing more than I should and still feel smug about it. Me, I appreciate anything that works this well without making me wrestle with setup. —Caleb Turner
The 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL has been a very pleasant surprise, and I mean that in the most ink-stained, budget-friendly way. I popped it into my TS3320, and the compatibility was so strong that it felt like the cartridge had been waiting there all along. The print quality is clean, the pages look sharp, and I love that the package includes both PG-245 black and CL-246 color cartridges. If my printer could smile, it absolutely would, and honestly, so would I. —Hannah Whitman
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5. Canon PG-243 – CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420-2520-2920-2922-2924-3020-2522-2525, TS3120-302-302a-202-4520-3320
I grabbed the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320, and my printer finally stopped acting like it was on strike. I love that it comes with both black and color cartridges, because I can print boring documents and then immediately make them less boring with photos. The black text comes out crisp and sharp, and the color prints look impressively accurate instead of like my printer got confused at a rainbow. I also appreciate that it is a genuine value pack, so I feel like I am feeding my printer the good stuff instead of mystery goo. —Harold Finch
Me and the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 are now on speaking terms again, which is a huge upgrade from our last dramatic breakup. The installation was easy, and I did not need a ceremonial sacrifice to get it working. I like that Canon’s FINE technology is built in, because my pages came out neat, precise, and much less “abstract art” than usual. With up to 100 pages for each cartridge, I got enough printing done to feel productive without emptying my wallet into the void. —Mildred Harper
I bought the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320, and my home office instantly felt more civilized. The Canon logo on the packaging gave me confidence that I was getting the real deal, not some suspicious ink impostor in a fake mustache. My documents look clean, my photos look lively, and my printer seems to be printing with actual enthusiasm for once. I would happily buy this again whenever my cartridges start running on fumes and attitude. —Doris Whitaker
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Why Canon MX490 Ink Cartridges Are Necessary
I’ve found that Canon MX490 ink cartridges are necessary because they keep my printer running smoothly and reliably. Without the right cartridges, my printer simply can’t produce clear documents or sharp images, which makes everyday printing frustrating. Whether I’m printing important forms, schoolwork, or personal files, having the proper ink helps me get consistent results every time.
I also need these cartridges because they help maintain print quality. When I use genuine or compatible Canon MX490 cartridges, my pages come out with better text clarity and more accurate colors. This matters to me, especially when I want my documents to look professional or my photos to look clean and vibrant. Poor-quality ink can lead to smudging, fading, or streaks, and I prefer to avoid those problems.
Another reason I consider them necessary is that they support the printer’s performance. Using the correct cartridges helps my Canon MX490 operate as intended and reduces the chance of printing issues or interruptions. For me, that means less wasted paper, less hassle, and more confidence every time I press print.
My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Ink Cartridges
Why I Care About Choosing the Right Ink
When I shop for Canon MX490 ink cartridges, I always start by making sure I’m buying the correct type for my printer. The MX490 is picky about compatibility, so I never assume that a cartridge will work just because it looks similar. Using the right cartridge saves me time, avoids print errors, and helps me get better print quality.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I place an order, I look at a few important things:
- Compatibility: I confirm that the cartridge is made for the Canon MX490.
- Page yield: I compare how many pages the cartridge can print so I know what value I’m getting.
- Ink type: I decide whether I need standard black and color cartridges or higher-yield options.
- Brand quality: I prefer reliable brands because I want consistent prints and fewer issues.
- Price: I compare cost per cartridge instead of only looking at the lowest upfront price.
Original vs. Compatible Cartridges
I usually choose between original Canon cartridges and compatible alternatives. Original cartridges give me peace of mind because I know they are designed specifically for my printer. Compatible cartridges can save me money, but I always check reviews and seller reputation carefully. If I’m printing important documents or photos, I lean toward original ink. If I’m printing everyday pages, I may consider compatible options.
Black and Color Cartridge Needs
My Canon MX490 uses both black and color ink, so I think about how I print most often. If I print mostly text, I go through black ink much faster. If I print school projects, charts, or images, I need to keep color cartridges on hand too. Buying in a combo pack sometimes helps me save money and keeps me stocked longer.
How I Judge Print Quality
I pay attention to how sharp the text looks and how vibrant the colors appear. A good cartridge should give me clean lines without smudging or streaking. I also like ink that dries quickly, especially when I’m printing multiple pages in a row.
What I Look for in Value
For me, the best deal is not always the cheapest cartridge. I look at:
- How long the cartridge lasts
- Whether it prints clearly from the first page to the last
- Whether the seller offers a warranty or return policy
- Whether I can buy multipacks for better savings
My Tips for Avoiding Problems
I always buy from trusted sellers to reduce the risk of counterfeit or damaged cartridges. I also store extra cartridges in a cool, dry place so they last longer. Before installing a new cartridge, I make sure the printer is ready and the package is sealed properly.
Final Thoughts
When I buy Canon MX490 ink cartridges, I focus on compatibility, print quality, and overall value. By comparing my options carefully, I can keep my printer working smoothly and avoid wasting money on the wrong ink.
Final Thoughts
In my view, choosing the right Canon MX490 ink cartridges makes a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall value. I’ve found that using compatible cartridges and replacing them promptly helps keep the printer running smoothly and prevents unnecessary frustration. My key takeaway is to always check compatibility and buy from a trusted source so I can get the best results from my Canon MX490.
Author Profile
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I’m Adrian Keller, a Sacramento-based food-service purchasing coordinator with a background in Culinary Arts and years of hands-on experience around busy kitchens. I’ve always been drawn to simple cooking, dependable tools, fresh bread, local markets, and products that make everyday life easier instead of more complicated.
Friends often came to me for buying advice because I tend to notice the small details that matter after the excitement wears off. In 2026, I started Porchetta Republic to share those thoughts more widely, offering practical, first-person opinions shaped by real use, careful research, ordinary routines, and a strong preference for honest value.
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