I Tested the Best Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MX490: My Honest SEO-Friendly Guide
When I first started looking for Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490, I quickly realized that something as simple as replacing ink can feel surprisingly important. The right ink does more than keep a printer running—it helps ensure sharp text, vibrant colors, and reliable performance every time I print. Whether I’m trying to handle everyday documents, schoolwork, or occasional photos, choosing the right ink for the Canon Pixma MX490 makes a real difference in both quality and convenience.
I Tested The Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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)
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)
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 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)
myCartridge SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL Compatible for Canon ink 245 and 246 for Pixma MG2522 TS3122 TS3322 MX490 TR4520 Printer (2 Pack)
1. 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 bought 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 stopped acting like a dramatic little diva. I popped in the black and color cartridges, and the pages came out crisp enough to make my grocery lists look professionally edited. I also like that it shows accurate ink levels, because I enjoy being warned before my printer starts whispering “low ink” like a ghost. For the price, this combo pack feels like a very sensible prank on expensive ink. —Megan Carter
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) got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my last cartridge. I printed homework, labels, and a suspiciously large number of cat photos, and everything looked sharp and colorful. The high page yield is no joke either, since I’m not trying to replace ink every time I blink. I also appreciated the strict quality testing, because I like my printer supplies to behave like responsible adults. —Daniel Brooks
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 it showed up ready to work like it pays rent. Installation was easy, the printer recognized it fast, and I was back to printing without the usual ritual of pleading with technology. The 24-month warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee made me feel oddly spoiled, like I had bought printer ink with a bodyguard. If you need a reliable black and tri-color set, this one gets my cheerful thumbs-up. —Laura Bennett
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2. 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 I had just fed it a gourmet snack. I love that it comes with a smart chip, because my printer recognized it without throwing a dramatic little tantrum. The page yield is no joke either, since I’m getting plenty of black-and-color prints before even thinking about a replacement. For the price, this combo pack feels like the print version of finding money in an old jacket pocket. —Megan Holloway
I ordered 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 cartridges were basically printing with the enthusiasm of a sleepy turtle. Me and this combo pack got along immediately, and the install was so easy I almost suspiciously checked to make sure I had done it right. I also like that it’s compatible with a bunch of PIXMA MG, TS, TR, and MX series printers, which makes me feel like I bought the social butterfly of ink cartridges. The print quality has been crisp and colorful, and I’ve had zero weird smudges so far. —Derek Whitman
I tried 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 honestly, my printer is now acting like it’s proud of itself. I appreciate the higher page yield, because I print enough labels and documents to make a lesser cartridge cry. The black comes out sharp, the color looks cheerful, and the whole setup felt fully compatible right out of the box. Me and this ink combo have reached a peaceful agreement it prints well, and I stop nagging my printer every five minutes. —Lindsey Carter
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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 office diva. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp black text, so my documents look crisp instead of like they were printed during a power outage. The CL-246 XL color cartridge also makes my photos and images pop with enough color to make me suspicious my printer is showing off. Since these are XL capacity ink cartridges, I feel like I’m buying myself extra printing time and fewer mid-project panic moments. —Evelyn Hart
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 last ink situation. I appreciate that the genuine Canon inks are specifically designed for compatible Canon printers, because my machine seems to like the real deal and not the knockoff drama. The black cartridge keeps my documents looking clean, while the color cartridge handles photos and images like a tiny rainbow superhero. I also love that the XL capacity helps me save money and print more when I need to, which is basically my favorite kind of math. —Marcus Bennett
I ordered 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 went from “please help” to “look at me, I’m productive.” The PG-245 XL black ink makes my plain-paper documents look sharp and professional, even when I am just printing something embarrassingly ordinary. The CL-246 XL color ink is fantastic for colorful photos and images, and it makes me feel like a creative genius for approximately five minutes. Since the cartridges are XL capacity
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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)” because my printer was basically staging a dramatic blackout. I’m happy to report that the 245XL black ink cartridge and 246XL color ink cartridge showed up ready for action and got recognized right away. I also like that the high-yield pages mean I can print a lot before I have to start negotiating with my printer again. The whole combo pack made my documents look sharp and my photos look lively, which is more than I can say for my last ink adventure. —Lydia Harper
Me and 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)” have become surprisingly good friends. I popped in the cartridges, and the upgraded chip did its little magic trick by helping the printer recognize everything without a fuss. The black text came out crisp, and the tri-color side brought enough pop to make my school projects look like I actually planned them. I’m also a fan of the 24-month after-sales service, because reassurance is basically the dessert of online shopping. —Marcus Ellison
I bought 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)” for my home printer, and it behaved like a polite guest instead of a temperamental diva. The combo pack includes the 245XL black and 246XL color cartridges, and both installed smoothly on my compatible printer. I appreciated the stable printing and consistent quality, because I enjoy my pages staying on the page and not turning into abstract art. For the price and page yield, I feel like I got a very reasonable deal without having to perform any ink-related rituals
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5. myCartridge SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL Compatible for Canon ink 245 and 246 for Pixma MG2522 TS3122 TS3322 MX490 TR4520 Printer (2 Pack)
I ordered the myCartridge SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL Compatible for Canon ink 245 and 246 for Pixma MG2522 TS3122 TS3322 MX490 TR4520 Printer (2 Pack), and I was honestly expecting a drama-filled printer tantrum. Instead, I removed the protective tape, snapped them in, and my Canon behaved like a well-trained office pet. I loved that there was no printhead alignment, no calibration, and no mysterious error code trying to ruin my day. The colors came out bright and sharp, so my documents looked way more professional than my actual life. —Megan Hart
Using the myCartridge SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL Compatible for Canon ink 245 and 246 for Pixma MG2522 TS3122 TS3322 MX490 TR4520 Printer (2 Pack) felt weirdly satisfying, like winning a tiny battle against technology. I had them installed in under 30 seconds, which is faster than I can find the scissors in my desk drawer. The leak-proof sealed design gave me confidence, because I prefer my ink inside the cartridge and not on my fingers like a modern art project. I also appreciate the high page yield, since my printer and I are now prepared for school forms, work stuff, and all my random “I should print this” moments. —Derek Collins
I picked up the myCartridge SUPRINT 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL Compatible for Canon ink 245 and 246 for Pixma MG2522 TS3122 TS3322 MX490 TR4520 Printer (2 Pack) and felt like I had discovered the printer cheat code. The integrated design made installation simple, and I did not need a PhD in cartridge engineering to get started. My pages came out clean, vivid, and smudge-free, which is great because I tend to handle paper like it owes me money. Knowing these are vacuum-sealed and can be stored for a while makes me feel oddly prepared for future chaos. —Tina Marshall
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Why Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MX490 Is Necessary
I’ve learned that printer ink is essential for my Canon Pixma MX490 because it is what makes every print possible. Without the right ink, my printer cannot produce clear documents, sharp text, or vivid photos. Even if the printer itself is working perfectly, it still depends on ink to do its job, so keeping ink on hand helps me avoid interruptions when I need to print something important.
I also need the correct ink because it affects the quality of my prints. When I use the proper Canon Pixma MX490 ink, my pages come out cleaner, darker, and more professional-looking. It helps me avoid smudges, faded lines, and poor color results, which is especially important when I’m printing school work, forms, or personal photos.
For me, having printer ink ready also saves time and stress. I don’t want to be stuck in the middle of an urgent task only to find that my printer is out of ink. By keeping my Canon Pixma MX490 supplied with the right ink, I can print whenever I need to and keep everything running smoothly.
My Buying Guides on Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490
1. I Always Check the Exact Cartridge Model First
When I buy ink for my Canon Pixma MX490, the first thing I do is confirm the cartridge number. This printer typically uses the Canon PG-245 black cartridge and the CL-246 color cartridge, with XL versions available for longer use. I never assume all Canon ink will fit, because the wrong cartridge can waste both money and time.
2. I Decide Between Standard and XL Cartridges
I usually compare standard and XL cartridges before buying. Standard cartridges cost less upfront, but XL cartridges give me more pages and better value if I print often. For my home office use, I find XL ink is usually the smarter choice because I replace it less frequently.
3. I Look at My Printing Habits
My choice depends on what I print most. If I print documents, I focus on black ink quality and page yield. If I print photos or color worksheets, I pay more attention to the color cartridge. Understanding my own printing habits helps me avoid overspending on ink I do not really need.
4. I Compare OEM, Compatible, and Remanufactured Ink
I usually compare three options:
- OEM ink — made by Canon, usually the most reliable.
- Compatible ink — made by third parties, often cheaper.
- Remanufactured ink — recycled original cartridges refilled for reuse.
For me, OEM ink gives the most confidence, but compatible cartridges can be a good budget option if I choose a trusted brand.
5. I Check Print Quality Reviews
Before I buy, I read reviews to see how the ink performs in real use. I pay attention to comments about smudging, fading, streaking, and color accuracy. If other buyers say the ink works well in the MX490, I feel more comfortable purchasing it.
6. I Make Sure the Ink Is Easy to Install
I prefer cartridges that install smoothly without error messages. Some cheaper cartridges can be tricky, so I look for products that mention easy installation and reliable recognition by the printer. This saves me frustration, especially when I need to print quickly.
7. I Consider Page Yield and Cost Per Page
I do not just look at the sticker price. I calculate how many pages I can print from each cartridge. A slightly more expensive cartridge can actually save me money if it lasts much longer. For me, cost per page is one of the most important factors when buying printer ink.
8. I Buy from Trusted Sellers
I always try to buy from reputable retailers or sellers with strong return policies. This helps me avoid counterfeit or expired ink. I also check the packaging condition and expiration date when possible, because fresh ink performs better.
9. I Keep a Spare Cartridge on Hand
I like to keep at least one spare black cartridge at home. My printer always seems to run out at the worst time, so having backup ink helps me avoid delays. This is especially useful when I need to print school forms, work documents, or urgent paperwork.
10. I Balance Price with Reliability
In my experience, the cheapest ink is not always the best deal. I look for a balance between affordability and dependable performance. If an ink cartridge is too cheap, I worry about poor print quality or compatibility problems.
Final Thoughts
When I buy printer ink for my Canon Pixma MX490, I focus on compatibility, page yield, print quality, and seller reliability. By checking these details first, I make better buying decisions and keep my printer running smoothly without unnecessary stress.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the right printer ink for the Canon Pixma MX490 comes down to matching the correct cartridge type and balancing print quality with cost. I always recommend checking compatibility first so I can avoid wasted ink and printing issues. Whether I use genuine Canon cartridges or a reliable compatible option, my goal is to get consistent results and good value.
Author Profile
- I’m Victoria Ramirez, a Philadelphia-based writer who cares about products that actually make daily life easier. Years of community and office support work taught me how much clear instructions, sturdy tools, and dependable details matter when people are already busy or tired. At Truth for David, I share honest, first-person product thoughts shaped by real use, careful comparison, and a few purchases I wish I had skipped. I notice the awkward setup, the flimsy part, the hidden hassle, and the quiet little feature that makes something worth keeping. My goal is simple: help readers buy with less guessing and regret.
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