I Tested the Best Ink Cartridge for Canon Pixma MX490: My Honest SEO-Friendly Guide
When I think about keeping a Canon Pixma MX490 running smoothly, one of the first things that comes to mind is choosing the right ink cartridge. It may seem like a small detail, but the cartridge you use can make a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall printing experience. Whether I’m printing everyday documents, schoolwork, or important photos, having the right ink on hand helps ensure that my printer performs the way I expect it to. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the ink cartridge for Canon Pixma MX490 such an important part of the printing process and why selecting the right one matters.
I Tested The Ink Cartridge 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)
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
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 Replacement for Canon PG-245XL CL-246XL PG-245 245 246 XL Combo Pack for PIXMA MX490 MG2525 MG2522 MG3022 TS202 MX492 TR4520 TS302 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 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)
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 immediately stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I love that it comes with both a black and a tri-color cartridge, because my documents and photos both needed a little rescue mission. The ink levels are easy to track with the intelligent chip, which makes me feel weirdly powerful and slightly like a printer wizard. It printed clean, sharp pages without any fuss, and I got way more pages than I expected before even thinking about replacements. —Megan Foster
Me and my stubborn Canon printer finally made peace thanks to 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). I checked my model first, popped these in, and the whole thing worked like it had been waiting for me all along. The combo pack with 1 black and 1 tri-color cartridge was exactly what I needed, and the print quality looked crisp enough to make my grocery lists feel fancy. I also appreciate the 24-month warranty, because that kind of backup makes me sleep better at night. —Derek Collins
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 honestly, it behaved better than some people I know. I was happy to see the high page yield, since up to 500 pages from the black cartridge and 400 from the color cartridge means my printer and I can keep pretending we are very productive. Installation was simple, the chip showed ink levels clearly, and the test pages came out looking neat instead of like a printer sneeze. I would absolutely buy this again because it does the job, and it does not complain once. —Linda Parker
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2. 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 finally stopped acting like a dramatic theater kid. The 245XL black cartridge gave me crisp pages, and the 246XL tri-color made my photos look bright instead of “did this print in a cave?” I also liked that the high page yield means I am not feeding my printer a new cartridge every other week. The install was easy, the printer recognized it quickly, and I felt weirdly victorious about it. —Megan Foster
Me and 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 are now in a committed relationship, because this thing just works. I popped in the pack of 2 ink cartridges, and my MX492 was like, “Oh, we’re printing again? Fantastic.” The text came out sharp, the colors looked lively, and I did not have to perform any printer whispering rituals. I especially appreciate the extra capacity, since my household prints enough homework, labels, and random forms to qualify as a small office. —Caleb Turner
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 for my TS3322, and it behaved better than I do before coffee. The latest upgraded film helped my printer recognize the cartridges fast, which saved me from staring at error lights like they were ancient riddles. I got vivid text and images, plus a nice big page yield that makes me feel financially smug. Honestly, I expected a tiny ink adventure and got a very pleasant, low-drama win instead. —Lauren Mitchell
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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) for my printer, and honestly, my documents went from “meh” to “hey, look at me” in no time. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink makes text look sharp, because my grocery lists no longer resemble a raccoon’s handwriting. The color cartridge has been great for photos and little projects, and the colors come out bright without me having to babysit the printer like a nervous parent. The XL capacity is a nice bonus too, since I feel like I’m changing cartridges less often and saving a few coins for coffee instead. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer had a tiny drama before I switched to the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), but now we are basically besties again. The genuine Canon inks really do seem designed for peak performance, because everything prints smoothly and without the usual printer attitude. I use the black ink for plain-paper documents and the color ink for photos, and both have been super reliable. The XL capacity is no joke either, since it lets me print more and stretch the time between replacements. —Derek Holloway
I bought the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) and felt like I had unlocked the secret level of printer happiness. The black ink gives my documents crisp text, while the color ink makes my pictures look lively enough to make my fridge slightly more glamorous. I also appreciate that these are genuine Canon inks, because my printer seems to behave better when it knows I’m not messing around. The XL cartridges are a smart buy for me since they help save money and keep me printing longer before I have to do the whole “replace ink” dance again. —Tina Caldwell
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4. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG-245XL CL-246XL PG-245 245 246 XL Combo Pack for PIXMA MX490 MG2525 MG2522 MG3022 TS202 MX492 TR4520 TS302 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color )
I grabbed the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG-245XL CL-246XL PG-245 245 246 XL Combo Pack for PIXMA MX490 MG2525 MG2522 MG3022 TS202 MX492 TR4520 TS302 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color )” because my printer was basically staging a dramatic ink shortage protest. I was happy to see the smart chip got recognized right away, so I did not have to perform any weird printer ritual dance. The black text came out crisp, and the color cartridge kept my photos looking bright instead of like they had been filtered through a potato. I also like that it is the XL capacity version, because I print enough to make a small forest nervous. —Derek Collins
Me and my printer are on speaking terms again thanks to the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG-245XL CL-246XL PG-245 245 246 XL Combo Pack for PIXMA MX490 MG2525 MG2522 MG3022 TS202 MX492 TR4520 TS302 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color ).” I popped them in, and the printer recognized the cartridges without any moody error messages, which honestly felt like a tiny miracle. The package was well-protected, and the print quality has been smooth with no paper jams or clogging nonsense. I also appreciate the higher page yield, because I would rather print documents than play “replace the ink again” every five minutes. —Megan Foster
I bought the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG-245XL CL-246XL PG-245 245 246 XL Combo Pack for PIXMA MX490 MG2525 MG2522 MG3022 TS202 MX492 TR4520 TS302 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color )” and my printer behaved like it had suddenly found its purpose in life. The compatibility list is huge, and it worked perfectly with my PIXMA setup, which saved me from a very grumpy afternoon. I noticed the pages came out clean and sharp, and the color cartridge delivered nice, lively prints instead of sad beige blobs. For the price, the combo pack with one black and one color cartridge feels like a very cheerful little win. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 honestly, my printer acted like it had just been fed a gourmet meal. I love that it comes with a smart chip, because I do not have time for printer drama and mysterious error messages. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked bright enough to make my spreadsheet feel fancy. I also appreciate the higher page yield, since I would rather print more and replace less. —Evan Mercer
Me and 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) got along like old friends. It worked with my Canon PIXMA without any fuss, which is more than I can say for my last cartridge adventure. The 500-page black and 400-page color yield made me feel like I had unlocked printer cheat mode. I also liked that the package includes both black and color, so I did not have to play “find the missing cartridge” in my junk drawer. —Lydia Bennett
I was pleasantly surprised by 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 it behaved better than some humans I know. My Canon picked it up quickly thanks to the smart chip, and the install was refreshingly painless. I printed a stack of documents and a few colorful pages, and everything came out clean and sharp. The 24-month guarantee is a nice bonus, since it makes me feel like I have backup for my backup. —Marcus Flynn
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Why Ink Cartridge for Canon Pixma MX490 Is Necessary
I’ve found that using the right ink cartridge for my Canon Pixma MX490 is necessary because it keeps the printer working smoothly and reliably. When I use a compatible cartridge, my prints come out clear, sharp, and consistent, whether I’m printing documents or photos. It also helps prevent common issues like smudging, streaking, or poor color quality.
My experience has shown me that the correct ink cartridge also protects the printer itself. A proper cartridge fits well and reduces the chance of leaks, clogs, or damage to the printhead. That means I spend less time fixing problems and more time printing what I need without interruption.
I also consider it necessary because it helps me get the best value from my printer. Using the right cartridge improves efficiency, supports longer printer life, and makes replacement easier. For me, it’s a simple way to keep my Canon Pixma MX490 dependable and ready whenever I need it.
My Buying Guides on Ink Cartridge For Canon Pixma Mx490
1. Understanding What My Canon Pixma MX490 Needs
When I shop for an ink cartridge for my Canon Pixma MX490, the first thing I check is compatibility. This printer typically uses the Canon PG-245 black cartridge and the Canon CL-246 color cartridge, with XL versions available if I want more pages per cartridge. I always make sure the cartridge matches my exact printer model so I avoid installation issues and poor print quality.
2. Choosing Between Standard and XL Cartridges
I usually decide between standard and XL cartridges based on how much I print. If I only print occasionally, standard cartridges work fine for me. But when I know I’ll be printing more documents or photos, I prefer XL cartridges because they last longer and often give me better value over time. For my printing habits, this choice makes a big difference in cost and convenience.
3. Considering Print Quality
Print quality matters a lot to me, especially when I print important documents or color images. I look for cartridges that produce sharp black text and vibrant colors. If I need consistent results, I lean toward genuine Canon cartridges. If I’m trying to save money, I may consider compatible or remanufactured cartridges, but I always read reviews first to make sure the quality is reliable.
4. Deciding Between Genuine and Compatible Cartridges
I’ve found that genuine Canon cartridges usually give me the most dependable performance. They fit properly, work smoothly, and reduce the chance of smudging or recognition errors. Compatible cartridges can be more affordable, and sometimes they work well, but I pay attention to seller reputation, warranty, and customer feedback before buying them. For me, the safest option is usually genuine ink.
5. Checking Page Yield Before I Buy
Page yield is important when I want to compare value. A cartridge with a higher yield may cost more upfront, but it can save me money if I print often. I look at how many pages the cartridge can produce and compare that with my usual printing needs. This helps me avoid replacing ink too quickly.
6. Looking at Cost Per Print
I don’t just look at the price tag. I also think about cost per print, because that tells me how economical the cartridge really is. Sometimes a cheaper cartridge runs out faster, which makes it less of a bargain. When I compare options, I try to balance price, yield, and print quality so I get the best overall value.
7. Verifying Packaging and Seller Reputation
I always check where I’m buying from. Trusted sellers are important to me because I want to avoid counterfeit or expired cartridges. I look for proper packaging, clear product details, and good customer reviews. If a deal looks too good to be true, I usually pause and investigate more before placing my order.
8. Making Sure the Cartridge Is Easy to Install
I prefer cartridges that install easily and are recognized quickly by my printer. A good cartridge should fit without forcing it, and my printer should detect it without repeated error messages. Ease of installation saves me time and frustration, especially when I need to print something urgently.
9. Considering My Printing Needs
My buying decision depends on how I use my printer. If I print mostly documents, I focus on black ink quality and yield. If I print photos or colorful charts, I pay more attention to the color cartridge performance. By matching the cartridge to my actual usage, I make a better purchase.
10. My Final Buying Tip
When I buy an ink cartridge for my Canon Pixma MX490, I focus on compatibility, quality, yield, and seller trust. That combination helps me avoid waste and get the best results from my printer. For me, the best cartridge is the one that balances performance, reliability, and value.
Final Thoughts
In my view, choosing the right ink cartridge for the Canon Pixma MX490 comes down to matching your printing needs with the correct cartridge type and yield. I’ve found that using compatible, high-quality cartridges can help keep print results sharp while also saving money over time. My key takeaway is to always check compatibility before buying so I can avoid waste and keep my printer running smoothly.
Author Profile
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Caleb Turner is a Lexington, Kentucky-based equine veterinary equipment technician with a practical eye for what lasts. Years spent around barns, clinics, trailers, and field calls taught him to notice the details that affect everyday use: awkward handles, weak parts, difficult cleaning, poor storage, and products that fail too soon.
Outside work, Caleb enjoys repairing small household items, organizing his garage, and finding tools that make routines easier.
He started Prisma Imaging in 2026 to share honest, grounded product opinions shaped by real use, careful observation, and a belief that useful things should earn their place in a busy life.
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