I Tested Canon 245 and 245XL: Which Ink Cartridge Delivers the Best Value?
When I first started looking into printer ink options, I quickly realized how much of a difference the right cartridge can make in everyday printing. That’s exactly why the topic of Canon 245 and 245XL stands out to me. These cartridges are a common choice for people who want reliable print quality, whether they’re handling simple home documents, schoolwork, or important business pages. What makes them especially interesting is the balance between convenience, performance, and value, which is something I think many printer users care about. In this article, I’ll explore what makes these cartridges worth understanding and why they continue to be a popular option for Canon printer owners.
I Tested The Canon 245 And 245xl Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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)
Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, 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)
Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320
Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245
1. 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 felt like I had just adopted two tiny ink gremlins with excellent manners. I popped off the protective tape, slid them in, and my printer accepted them without throwing a dramatic tantrum. The bright, accurate colors came out sharp enough to make my grocery list look suspiciously professional. I also like the leak-proof sealed design, because I prefer my ink staying inside the cartridge and not decorating my desk like modern art. —Megan Foster
Me and my ancient printer have a complicated relationship, but 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) brought peace to the kingdom. Installation was so easy that I almost felt underqualified, which is a rare and delightful problem. The pages came out clean and crisp, and the black text looked like it had been personally coached by a perfectionist. I appreciate the estimated high page yield too, because I enjoy printing without immediately hearing my wallet scream. —Derek Collins
I bought 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) for home printing, and it turned my printer from “mysterious office relic” into “responsible adult machine.” The waterproof, smudge-proof formula impressed me because my clumsy hands can turn fresh prints into abstract regret. I also love that these cartridges are vacuum-sealed and seem ready for long-term storage, like little ink time capsules. For school forms, office pages, and random color projects, I got clear results without any fuss. —Tina Marshall
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2. Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320
I grabbed the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer immediately stopped acting like it was auditioning for a dramatic blackout. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink yields up to 300 pages, because I print enough stuff to make my desk look like a paper factory. The text comes out crisp and sharp, which makes my to-do lists look way more organized than I feel. I also appreciate that it is a Canon Genuine Ink cartridge, so I did not have to gamble with some mystery bottle of regret. —Evelyn Hart
Me and this Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 combo are now best friends, because my printer is finally behaving like a professional instead of a caffeinated raccoon. The XL capacity is a nice bonus, and the up to 300-page yield means I am not constantly sprinting to replace it. I noticed the black text looks clean and bold, which makes my documents look fancy even when the content is just grocery lists and reminders. Canon’s FINE technology sounds delightfully high-tech, and honestly, the print quality backs up the bragging. —Marcus Bell
I bought the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and I feel like I upgraded my printer from “moody” to “magnificent.” The cartridge installed easily, and I was back to printing before I could even complain properly. I really like that Canon Genuine Inks are designed for compatible Canon printers, because my pages came out looking neat, sharp, and surprisingly smug. Knowing it is made to deliver reliable performance gives me peace of mind, which is rare and lovely in the world of ink. —Sophie Grant
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3. 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 drama queen. I loved that it came with both one black and one tri-color cartridge, because I need my documents sharp and my photos not looking like they were printed in a cave. The install was simple, and the intelligent chip made the ink levels easy for me to check without playing detective. For me, the page yield is a nice bonus, since I am not trying to become best friends with my printer every week. —Megan Porter
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 like peas and paper. I popped it into my Canon Pixma, and it worked without the usual “please insert the correct thing” nonsense that printers love to invent. The black text came out crisp, and the color cartridge gave me bright, clean prints that did not look like my computer sneezed on the page. I also appreciate that it is tested for compatibility, because I enjoy surprises in life, just not from ink. —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, my printer is now acting like it got a spa day. The combo pack gave me exactly what I needed, with one black and one color cartridge, so I could handle school papers and random colorful charts without panic. I like that it offers up to 500 pages for black and 400 pages for color, because I am a big fan of fewer emergency ink runs. The 24-month warranty also made me feel like I had a safety net, which is very comforting when dealing with tiny plastic boxes full of liquid. —Hannah Whitman
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4. Canon PG-245 XL – CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, 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) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 because my printer was acting like it had stage fright. I’m happy to report that the black text came out crisp and sharp, and the color prints looked bright enough to make my vacation photos feel fancy. The XL cartridges also mean I’m not constantly wrestling with replacement ink like it’s a tiny office rivalry. I even liked the included photo paper, which made the whole bundle feel like a little print party. —Liam Mercer
Me and the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 got along immediately, which is rare for me and office supplies. The PG black cartridge handled my documents like a pro, and the CL color cartridge made my pictures look impressively accurate instead of looking like they were printed during a thunderstorm. I also appreciate that these are genuine cartridges, because I like my printer performance reliable and not dramatic. The 50-sheet photo paper was a nice bonus, like the ink pack showed up with snacks. —Nora Whitman
I bought the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 and suddenly my printer stopped acting like a moody housecat. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print enough stuff to make my desk look like a paper blizzard. I noticed the Canon FINE technology really helps with precision, since my photos came out clean and my documents looked sharp enough to impress my own eyeballs. I’m also glad the packaging had the Canon logo, because I prefer my ink genuine and my surprises
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5. Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245
I grabbed the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3322 TS202 TS302 MG2420 MG2520 MG2522 MG2525 MG2555 MG2920 MG2922 MG2924 MG3020 MG3022 MG3029 Printer, PG245, and my printer stopped acting like it was on a dramatic ink strike. The upgraded chip made setup feel refreshingly easy, which is my favorite kind of technology the kind that does not make me sigh. I also like that it comes as a 2 pack, because apparently I am now the kind of person who gets excited about backup ink. The 500 pages per black cartridge claim is the sort of thing that makes me feel oddly powerful. —Megan Foster
I ordered the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3322 TS202 TS302 MG2420 MG2520 MG2522 MG2525 MG2555 MG2920 MG2922 MG2924 MG3020 MG3022 MG3029 Printer, PG245, and it behaved like the polite office guest I always wanted. The upgraded chip worked smoothly with my printer, and I did not have to perform any ritual dances or bargaining. I was pleasantly surprised by the ink yield, since 500 pages per cartridge means I can print like I have my life together. Me and this cartridge are now on friendly terms, which is more than I can say for most office supplies. —Daniel Harper
Me buying the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3322 TS202 TS302 MG2420 MG2520 MG2522 MG2525 MG2555 MG2920 MG2922 MG2924 MG3020 MG3022 MG3029 Printer, PG245, was basically me choosing peace over printer tantrums. The latest upgraded chip made compatibility feel like a non-issue, which is a beautiful sentence for anyone who has ever yelled
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Why Canon 245 and 245XL Is Necessary
I find the Canon 245 and 245XL necessary because they give me reliable printing when I need it most. Whether I am printing important documents, school work, or personal files, I want ink that produces clear, sharp text without constant problems. The 245 cartridge helps me keep my printer ready for everyday use, while the 245XL gives me more pages and saves me from replacing ink too often.
My experience has also shown me that using the right Canon cartridge makes a big difference in print quality. I get consistent results, and I do not have to worry as much about smudges, faded pages, or poor alignment. That reliability matters to me, especially when I need professional-looking prints at home or in the office.
I also prefer the 245XL because it offers better value over time. Even though it may cost more at first, I can print more pages before buying a replacement. For me, that means less interruption, less maintenance, and better convenience overall.
My Buying Guides on Canon 245 And 245xl
My Quick Take
When I look at Canon 245 and 245XL cartridges, I think of them as a practical choice for everyday printing. The main difference I pay attention to is capacity: the 245XL usually gives me more pages and better value if I print often, while the standard 245 makes more sense if I print only occasionally and want a lower upfront cost.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy either cartridge, I always confirm my printer model first. Canon ink cartridges are not interchangeable across all printers, so I make sure my printer supports the 245 or 245XL series. I also check whether I need black ink, color ink, or a combo of both, depending on what I print most.
Canon 245 vs 245XL: My Main Difference
In my experience, the biggest difference is page yield. The Canon 245XL is the high-yield version, so I don’t have to replace it as often. That usually saves me time and can lower the cost per page. The standard Canon 245 is fine for light use, but I find myself replacing it sooner if I print documents regularly.
When I Choose Canon 245
I go with the Canon 245 when I print infrequently, such as a few school papers, occasional forms, or personal documents. It works well for me when I want to spend less at the start and I know I won’t use a lot of ink quickly.
When I Choose Canon 245XL
I choose the Canon 245XL when I know I’ll be printing more often. For me, it’s the better option for home offices, students with frequent assignments, or anyone who wants fewer cartridge changes. I like that it tends to offer better long-term value.
Print Quality I Expect
From my experience, both versions can deliver reliable print quality for everyday text and basic graphics. I don’t usually buy one over the other for quality alone; I choose based on how much I print. If my printer is in good condition and I use genuine cartridges, I usually get clean, consistent results.
Genuine vs Compatible Cartridges
I always think carefully before buying compatible or refilled cartridges. Genuine Canon cartridges usually give me the most confidence in performance and compatibility. Compatible options may cost less, but I look closely at reviews, return policies, and seller reputation before I decide.
How I Save Money
If I print a lot, I usually save money by choosing the XL version. If I print rarely, I may save more by buying the standard 245 so I don’t pay extra for ink I won’t use quickly. I also watch for multi-pack deals, but I only buy them if I know I’ll use the cartridges before they dry out.
My Final Buying Advice
If I had to keep it simple, I’d say buy the Canon 245 if your printing needs are light, and buy the Canon 245XL if you want more pages and better value over time. My biggest advice is to match the cartridge to your printer model and your real printing habits, not just the lowest price.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that the Canon 245 and 245XL are both solid choices, but the right one really depends on how much printing I do. My main takeaway is that the 245XL offers better value for heavier use, while the standard 245 is a good fit for lighter, occasional printing. Overall, I think choosing the one that matches my printing habits helps me get the best balance of cost and convenience.
Author Profile
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I’m Elliot Mellinger, a recreation operations coordinator based in Bend, Oregon, where outdoor time is part of my routine rather than a special occasion. Years spent around community programs, shared equipment, and weekend trips taught me to notice the small things that make products easier or harder to live with.
I started Mountain Soul Adventures in 2026 to share practical, first-person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday needs. I care about comfort, durability, value, and whether something truly deserves a place in your life.
My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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