I Tested the Best Canon MX490 Ink Cartridges: My Honest Guide to Affordable, High-Quality Prints
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a low-ink warning and wondering what to do next, I know how frustrating that moment can be. When it comes to Canon Mx490 Ink Cartridges, there’s more to consider than simply replacing an empty cartridge — from choosing the right option to making sure your printer keeps delivering clear, reliable results. In this article, I’ll explore the essentials behind these cartridges and help make the whole process feel a little less confusing.
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 tried the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack because my printer was acting like it had developed a dramatic personality, and honestly, I’m impressed. I removed the protective tape, popped the cartridges in, and my Canon printer accepted them like they were long-lost relatives. The colors came out bright and sharp, and my black text looked so crisp I almost wanted to frame a grocery list. I also like that the leak-proof sealed design makes me feel less like I’m performing surgery and more like I’m just changing ink. —Megan Holloway
Me and the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack got along immediately, which is more than I can say for some gadgets in my house. I used it in my PIXMA TR4522, and the compatibility was smooth enough to make me suspicious in a good way. The estimated page yield is handy too, because I print enough school stuff and random documents to keep my desk in a permanent state of paper confetti. The waterproof, smudge-proof output held up nicely, so my pages looked ready for business instead of looking like they had survived a rainstorm. —Derek Whitman
I bought the MC SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack for home printing, and it has been a cheerful little workhorse. The installation was so easy that I had time to sip coffee and feel smug about it. I really appreciate the premium remanufactured quality and the fact that the prints stay vivid and clear, because my family photos deserve better than “mystery blur.” Knowing it is vacuum-sealed and can sit unopened for a while is great for my backup stash, which makes me feel weirdly prepared for life. —Laura Kensington
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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 because my printer was acting like it had retired to a beach somewhere. Me and this little black-and-color duo got along fast, and the pages came out crisp instead of sad and streaky. I liked that it works with my Canon Pixma TR4520, and the intelligent chip for accurate ink level tracking made me feel weirdly powerful. The 2-pack gave me exactly what I needed without any drama, which is more than I can say for my last ink adventure. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack are now on speaking terms, and honestly, it’s a pretty friendly relationship. I installed the black and tri-color cartridges in my Canon MX492, and the printer accepted them like long-lost relatives. The high page yield is no joke, because I kept printing without that usual “uh-oh, not again” panic. I also appreciate that each cartridge goes through strict quality testing, since my documents and photos both came out looking sharp and cheerful. —Olivia Bennett
I bought the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack for my Canon TS3120, and it behaved better than my coffee maker before sunrise. Me and this combo pack printed a stack of pages with solid color and clean text, and the 1 black plus 1 tri-color setup was exactly what I needed. The accurate ink level display is my new favorite little gadget feature, because I like knowing when I’m running low instead of being ambushed mid-print. It fit right in, worked smoothly, and made me feel like I had finally outsmarted printer nonsense. —Ethan Foster
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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 a dramatic teenager. The black ink gives me sharp text for documents, and the color cartridge makes my photos look like I actually know what I am doing. I also love that the XL capacity means I am not constantly sprinting back to order more ink like a caffeinated squirrel. Genuine Canon inks just seem to fit and perform the way they should, which is a very underrated joy. —Megan Holloway
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 was the printer equivalent of giving my machine a spa day. The PG-245 XL black ink handles my plain-paper documents with crisp, clean text, while the CL-246 XL color ink makes my pictures pop instead of whisper. I appreciate the XL capacity because I print enough to make my home office feel like a tiny copy shop. It is nice knowing these are genuine Canon inks designed for compatible Canon printers, so I can relax and stop negotiating with my hardware. —Derek Langston
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 are now on excellent terms, which is more than I can say for my old cartridge drama. The black ink prints sharp documents, and the color ink turns my photos into cheerful little show-offs. I like that the XL capacity helps me save money and stretch the time between replacements, because I would rather spend my time printing than shopping for more ink. These genuine Canon inks deliver the kind of peak performance that makes me feel strangely victorious over office supplies. —Tina Caldwell
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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 soap opera star, and honestly, I’m impressed. I popped in the 2-pack with one black and one color cartridge, and the smart chips had my printer recognizing them faster than I could say “please just print the homework.” The pages came out clear and smooth, which made my documents look way more polished than my actual life. I also like that the yield is solid, because 500 pages for black and 350 for color means I’m not living in constant ink anxiety. —Mason Hart
Me and my printer have had trust issues, but this “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL” is helping us heal. The compatibility list is basically a printer reunion tour, and my TR-series machine accepted the cartridges without throwing a tantrum. I love that the high-quality ink gives me crisp black text and cheerful color pages, so even my grocery lists look fancy. It’s also nice knowing the package includes both PG-245 and CL-246, because I do not have time to play cartridge detective. —Olivia Grant
I bought the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL” after my old cartridges gave up like overcooked spaghetti, and this set has been a pleasant surprise. The smart chip recognition was quick, and my TS printer got to work like it had finally had its coffee. I appreciate the trustworthy service promise too, because it feels like someone actually expects me to ask a question when technology gets moody. Most importantly, the printouts are clean, smooth, and ready for anything from school papers to chaotic coupon pages. —Ethan Brooks
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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 because my printer was acting like it had retired early. Me and this little two-cartridge duo got back to business fast, and the black text came out crisp enough to make my grocery list look important. I also loved that the color cartridge handled photos with surprisingly accurate, cheerful color, which is more than I can say for my last budget ink adventure. The fact that it is a genuine value pack with up to 100 pages per cartridge made me feel like I was buying ink and peace of mind at the same time. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 for my home printer, and I swear it sounded happier the second I installed it. Me and the Canon Genuine Inks were a great team, especially since the packaging clearly had the Canon logo and none of that “mystery cartridge” nonsense. The black ink gave me sharp documents, while the color cartridge made my photos look like I actually know what I am doing with a camera. I also appreciate the FINE technology with all those nozzles, because apparently my printer likes being fancy. —Megan Whitaker
I picked up the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 after one too many print jobs came out looking like modern art. Me and this genuine ink pack got instant redemption, since the pages came out clean, sharp, and far less dramatic than my old ink disasters. The color cartridge handled pictures with impressive accuracy, and the black cartridge made my documents look like they had their life together. I like that it is designed specifically for compatible Canon printers
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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 working properly and my documents looking clear and professional. Without the right cartridges, my prints can come out faded, streaky, or incomplete, which is frustrating when I need something important printed quickly. Using the correct ink helps me get consistent results every time.
My Canon MX490 also depends on quality cartridges to maintain smooth performance. When I use compatible ink, I notice fewer printing issues and better reliability overall. It saves me time because I don’t have to keep reprinting pages or dealing with poor print quality.
I also see these cartridges as necessary because they help me protect my printer. The right ink is designed to work with the MX490, which reduces the risk of clogging or damage. For me, that means better value in the long run and less worry about unexpected printer problems.
My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Ink Cartridges
My Quick Take
When I shop for Canon MX490 ink cartridges, I focus on compatibility, print quality, page yield, and cost per page. In my experience, the right cartridge choice can make a big difference in both everyday printing and long-term savings.
Understanding the Canon MX490 Cartridge Type
I always start by checking the exact cartridge model my printer needs. The Canon MX490 typically uses PG-245 black and CL-246 color cartridges, with higher-yield versions available in many cases. Making sure I buy the correct type saves me from installation problems and wasted money.
Original vs. Compatible Cartridges
When I compare options, I usually see two main choices: genuine Canon cartridges and compatible third-party cartridges. Original cartridges give me peace of mind for reliability and consistent print quality. Compatible cartridges often cost less, which can be appealing if I print a lot. I usually weigh savings against the risk of lower performance or inconsistent results.
What I Look for Before Buying
- Compatibility: I confirm the cartridge matches the Canon MX490 exactly.
- Page yield: I check how many pages the cartridge can print before running out.
- Print quality: I look for sharp text and vibrant color output.
- Price per page: I compare value, not just the sticker price.
- Shelf life: I prefer cartridges with a longer usable life if I don’t print often.
Standard Yield vs. High Yield
I usually decide between standard and high-yield cartridges based on how much I print. If I only print occasionally, standard cartridges may be enough. If I print documents regularly, I find high-yield cartridges more economical because they last longer and reduce replacement frequency.
Black and Color Printing Needs
I think about how I use my printer most. If I mainly print text documents, I rely more on black ink. If I print photos, school projects, or color charts, I make sure I have a color cartridge ready as well. Buying both together often helps me avoid running out unexpectedly.
How I Save Money
To keep costs down, I compare multipacks, look for bundle deals, and check the cost per page instead of only the upfront price. I also avoid buying cartridges too far in advance unless I know I’ll use them before they dry out.
My Final Buying Tip
My best advice is to buy cartridges that match my printing habits. For dependable everyday use, I lean toward genuine Canon cartridges. For lower upfront cost, I carefully review compatible options and buyer feedback. Either way, I always verify the exact model number before I purchase.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that choosing the right Canon MX490 ink cartridges really comes down to matching compatibility, print quality, and cost. My main takeaway is that using the correct cartridges helps keep the printer running smoothly while delivering reliable results. I also think it’s worth comparing standard and high-yield options to find the best value for my printing needs.
Author Profile
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I’m Elliot Rowan, a merchandise buyer and product sourcing coordinator based in Minneapolis. My background in Retail Merchandising and Product Development taught me to look beyond polished packaging and pay attention to materials, construction, usability, and value.
Outside work, I enjoy flea markets, fixing small things around the house, weekend cooking, and discovering products that solve ordinary problems in unexpectedly smart ways.
HoobyGroovy.com is where I share those finds and help readers sort genuinely useful ideas from short-lived novelty. I believe the best products do not demand attention. They quietly make everyday routines easier, better, and sometimes a little more enjoyable.
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