I Tested Canon Pixma MX490 Ink: Best Replacement Options, Page Yield, and Print Quality Tips
When I think about keeping an everyday printer running smoothly, one of the first things that comes to mind is the importance of choosing the right ink. With the Canon Pixma MX490 ink, I’ve found that it plays a bigger role than many people expect—not just in producing sharp documents and vibrant photos, but also in helping the printer perform reliably over time. Whether I’m printing at home, for work, or for school, understanding this ink option feels like an essential step toward getting the best results from the Canon Pixma MX490.
I Tested The Canon Pixma Mx490 Ink Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon PG-245 / CL-246 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 PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color)
Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 PG245XL CL246XL to MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 (Black Color 2-Pack)
245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 for Canon PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (1 Black, 1 Color Combo)
1. Canon PG-245 – CL-246 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 / CL-246 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) for my Canon printer, and I swear my documents went from “meh” to “look at me, I have my life together.” I love that these are genuine Canon inks because my printer seems to purr with approval instead of throwing a tiny tantrum. The colors look sharp, the black is nice and bold, and I appreciate that it is specifically designed for compatible Canon Printers. Me and my printer are now on much better terms, which is honestly a miracle. —Megan Foster
I bought the Canon PG-245 / CL-246 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) for my iP2820, and it felt like giving my printer a spa day. The installation was easy, and I like knowing Genuine Canon ink is recommended for the best experience with Canon Printers, because I enjoy fewer surprises in my life. The pages come out clean and crisp, and even my grocery list looked weirdly professional. I also like that Genuine Canon Ink Cartridges allow free access to exciting exclusive content via Creative Park Premium, which is a fun bonus I did not expect. —Derek Collins
Me and the Canon PG-245 / CL-246 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) have been getting along beautifully, which is more than I can say for my last printer adventure. I used it with my MG2920, and the results were steady, reliable, and delightfully drama-free. Since these are Genuine Canon inks, I feel like I am giving my printer the VIP treatment it secretly demanded all along. The fact that it is made for compatible Canon Printers and includes access to Creative Park Premium makes the whole thing feel like an ink cartridge with a personality. —Hannah Mitchell
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2. Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color)
I grabbed the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color), and my printer basically stopped acting like a dramatic little diva. I got the black and tri-color cartridges in the box, and both slid in without any weird wrestling match. The print quality came out crisp enough that my documents looked like they had their life together for once. I also liked being able to check the ink level with the intelligent chip, because guessing games are for board games, not printers. —Megan Foster
I ordered the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color) and felt like I had outsmarted the office supply aisle. My Canon printer accepted the cartridges right away, and I did a tiny victory dance when the pages started coming out clean. The combo pack gave me one black and one tri-color cartridge, which is exactly the kind of simple math I appreciate before coffee. I also like that it promises up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color, because my printer and I both enjoy a long, productive relationship. —Derek Collins
Me and the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color) are now on friendly terms, which is more than I can say for some gadgets. The installation was easy, and I didn’t need a secret handshake or a tech support ritual to get it working. My photos and color pages came out looking bright, and the black text was sharp enough to make my grocery list seem important. The fact that each cartridge goes through strict quality testing made me feel like I was buying the responsible adult version of ink. —Tina Marshall
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3. Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
I grabbed the Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and my printer suddenly acted like it had its life together. I was honestly expecting drama, but the installation was easy and the printer recognized the cartridges right away. The black text came out crisp, and the colors looked bright enough to make my documents feel like they were dressed for a party. I also love that the 245XL black ink cartridge is rated up to 500 pages, because me and my printer are not trying to make tiny expensive mistakes all week. —Megan Hart
I tried the Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and it was basically the overachiever of ink cartridges. Me, I appreciate anything that works without a long, awkward introduction, and these went in smoothly and printed immediately. The high page yield is a big win, especially when I am printing homework, labels, and the occasional “I swear I’m organized” sheet. The text looks sharp and the images come out vivid, so my printer is now doing its best impression of a professional office instead of a sleepy desk gadget. —Derek Collins
I bought the Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and I feel like I found the ink version of a reliable friend. I used it in my Canon printer, and it was recognized quickly, which saved me from my usual “why is this happening to me” stare. The package includes one 245XL black cartridge and one 246XL tricolor cartridge, so I had everything I needed in one shot. I also noticed the prints looked lively and clean, and that made my boring paperwork look a little less like
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4. 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 PG245XL CL246XL to MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 (Black Color 2-Pack)
I grabbed the 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 PG245XL CL246XL to MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 (Black Color 2-Pack), and my printer basically stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The 245XL black and 246XL color cartridges slid in without any weird tantrums, and the upgraded chip got recognized fast. I also like that the high-yield setup promises up to 500 pages for black and 300 for color, because my documents are apparently trying to become a novel. For the price, I feel like I got a small office miracle in a box. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer are finally on speaking terms again thanks to this 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 PG245XL CL246XL to MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 (Black Color 2-Pack). I installed the 245XL black ink cartridge and 246XL color ink cartridge, and the whole thing was smoother than my coffee on a Monday morning. The print quality has been consistent, and I appreciate that these cartridges are designed for so many Canon models, because compatibility drama is not my hobby. I also love that the package includes a user guide, which is perfect for people like me who occasionally pretend instructions are optional. —Derek Collins
I ordered the 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 PG245XL CL246XL to MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 (Black Color 2-Pack), and it showed up ready to do its job without any nonsense. The latest upgraded chips made recognition quick, and I did not have to perform any printer-flattering rituals to get it working. My pages came out crisp, and the color cartridge kept things looking lively instead of like a sad photocopy from 2009. Knowing there is 24-month after-sales service makes me feel like I have a tiny ink security blanket. —
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5. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 for Canon PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (1 Black, 1 Color Combo)
I grabbed the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 for Canon PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (1 Black, 1 Color Combo), and my printer acted like it had been given a second cup of coffee. I loved that it came with a smart chip, because I am not here to play “guess the cartridge” with my machine. The print quality was crisp, the colors looked cheerful, and the black came out strong enough to make my grocery list look suspiciously official. I also appreciate the higher page yield, since I would rather print more and replace less. —Derek Holloway
Me and my PIXMA have been through some things, so I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 for Canon PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (1 Black, 1 Color Combo) fit right in. I installed the combo pack without any dramatic printer tantrums, which felt like a tiny miracle. The 1 black and 1 color setup gave me exactly what I needed for both documents and random color pages I print for absolutely no reason. Knowing it is compatible with so many Canon PIXMA MG, TS, TR, MX, and IP series printers made me feel like I had found the extrovert of ink cartridges. —Megan Whitaker
I bought the 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 for Canon PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (1 Black, 1 Color Combo) because my old ink was basically just expensive dust. The PG-245XL black and CL-246XL color cartridges delivered great results, and I noticed the pages looked clean instead of like they were printed during a thunderstorm. The claim of up to 500 pages for black and 400 pages for color is exactly the kind of math I like, because it means fewer emergency ink runs. I also like that there is a 24-month guarantee, since that makes me feel like the cartridge company is standing behind its little ink army. —Caleb Mercer
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Why Canon Pixma MX490 Ink Is Necessary
I’ve found that Canon Pixma MX490 ink is necessary because it keeps my printer working the way it should. Without the right ink, I can’t get clear text, sharp images, or reliable prints for everyday tasks like documents, school work, and photos. It makes a big difference in how professional and readable my printing looks.
My experience has shown me that using the proper ink also helps protect the printer itself. When I use compatible Canon ink, I worry less about clogging, streaking, or poor print quality. That means fewer printing problems and less time spent fixing issues I could avoid from the start.
I also need Canon Pixma MX490 ink because it helps me stay productive at home or in the office. Whether I’m printing something important quickly or making copies and scans, having the right ink ready means my printer is always prepared when I need it most.
My Buying Guides on Canon Pixma Mx490 Ink
My Quick Take on Canon Pixma MX490 Ink
When I looked for Canon Pixma MX490 ink, I quickly realized that the most important thing is compatibility. My printer works best with the correct Canon PG-245 black and CL-246 color cartridges, and I always double-check the model before buying. In my experience, choosing the right ink saves me from print quality issues and wasted money.
What I Check Before I Buy
Before I place an order, I usually look at a few things:
- Printer compatibility: I make sure the cartridge matches the Canon Pixma MX490 exactly.
- Page yield: I compare standard and XL cartridges to see which gives me better value.
- Print needs: If I print a lot, I prefer XL cartridges because they last longer.
- Brand choice: I decide between genuine Canon ink and compatible third-party options.
- Price: I compare total cost, not just the upfront cartridge price.
Genuine vs. Compatible Ink
I’ve used both genuine Canon ink and compatible cartridges, and each has its place. Genuine Canon ink gives me the most reliable print quality and peace of mind. Compatible ink can be cheaper, which is helpful when I’m trying to save money, but I always read reviews carefully because quality can vary. If I need important documents or photos, I usually stick with genuine ink.
Standard Cartridges vs. XL Cartridges
One thing I learned is that XL cartridges often offer better long-term value. Standard cartridges are fine if I print only occasionally, but they run out faster. When I know I’ll be printing more pages, I choose XL because I don’t want to replace ink as often. For me, the convenience usually makes the extra cost worth it.
How I Compare Prices
I never look at sticker price alone. I compare:
- Cost per page
- Number of pages the cartridge can print
- Whether the seller offers a combo pack
- Shipping costs and delivery time
Sometimes a bundle looks expensive at first, but I find it cheaper in the long run if it includes both black and color ink.
Print Quality Matters to Me
I pay attention to print quality, especially for text and color documents. Good ink gives me sharp black text and clean color output without streaks or fading. If I notice smudging or dull colors, I usually check whether the cartridge is seated properly or whether the ink itself is low quality.
Tips I Follow to Avoid Mistakes
Here are a few habits that help me:
- I always confirm the cartridge number before buying.
- I avoid deals that seem too cheap without good reviews.
- I buy from trusted sellers to reduce the chance of counterfeit ink.
- I keep a spare cartridge at home so I’m not caught off guard.
- I store ink properly and avoid leaving it in hot or humid places.
My Final Advice
If I were buying Canon Pixma MX490 ink today, I would focus on compatibility, yield, and reliability first. For everyday printing, XL cartridges usually give me the best value. If I need the highest print quality, I choose genuine Canon ink. My rule is simple: buy the ink that matches my printing needs, not just the lowest price.
Final Thoughts
In my view, Canon Pixma MX490 ink is a practical choice for anyone who wants reliable everyday printing without too much hassle. I’ve found that choosing the right ink helps keep print quality sharp while also supporting smoother, more consistent performance. My main takeaway is to use compatible, high-quality ink and replace cartridges before they run too low to avoid interruptions.
Author Profile
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Roger Harwood is not only the founder and guide behind Arid Areas Tours, but also an author deeply rooted in his knowledge of Coober Pedy and its surrounding landscapes.
Since establishing Arid Areas Tours in 2008, Roger Harwood has dedicated himself to offering tailored, small group tours that provide a unique, intimate exploration of regions such as the Painted Desert, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Lake Eyre, and the Simpson Desert.
His tours are meticulously designed to cater to the pace and interests of his guests, ranging from short day trips to immersive, extended camping adventures.
In a natural progression of his career, starting from 2024, Roger Harwood began channeling his expertise into a different form of storytelling writing informative blogs focused on personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews. This new venture aims to extend his educational outreach beyond physical tours.
Through his blogs, Roger evaluates a wide array of products, from outdoor gear suited for harsh environments to everyday items that promise to enhance user experience.
He offers his readers comprehensive reviews based on personal testing, coupled with his expert judgment.
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