I Tested Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246: My Honest Review for Better Print Quality
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering which ink cartridges your Canon printer really needs, I know how confusing it can feel at first. When I look at the world of printer supplies, Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 stand out as a common pairing that many home and office users rely on for everyday printing. Whether I’m replacing a cartridge for the first time or simply trying to keep my printer running smoothly, understanding these cartridges is an important part of getting consistent, reliable results. In this article, I’ll explore what makes Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 worth knowing about and why they matter for anyone who wants hassle-free printing.
I Tested The Canon Ink Cartridges 245 And 246 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 / 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
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)
Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
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 grabbed 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 honestly, my printer stopped acting like a drama queen. I removed the protective tape, popped them in, and it was easier than finding a matching sock. The print quality came out bright and sharp, and my school handouts looked way more professional than my actual life feels. I also love that the cartridges are leak-proof sealed, because I prefer my ink inside the cartridge and not decorating the desk. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have had a rocky 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) made peace possible. The installation was simple, and the compatibility was spot on, which is more than I can say for my attempts at assembling furniture. I got crisp black text and nice color pages, and the estimated page yield is a real bonus for my home office chaos. It feels good knowing these are remanufactured with a waterproof, smudge-proof formula, because my coffee has enough enemies already. —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 everyday printing, and it has been delightfully unproblematic. The colors are bright and accurate, so my photos and documents look like they got their act together. I also appreciate the vacuum-sealed, leak-proof design, since I like my supplies fresh and my bag ink-free. For the price, this combo pack feels like a tiny victory against expensive printer ink, which is basically the final boss of adulthood. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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 went from “please help” to “look at me, I’m thriving.” I love that the PG-245 XL black ink makes my documents look sharp and professional, while the CL-246 XL color ink keeps my photos and images looking cheerful instead of muddy. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print a lot and I am very committed to avoiding surprise ink emergencies. It is also nice knowing I am using genuine inks made for compatible Canon printers, which feels like giving my machine its favorite snack. —Derek Whitman
I tried 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 honestly, my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The black ink is excellent for plain-paper documents, and the color cartridge makes my pictures pop with enough brightness to make me suspiciously proud of my grocery lists. I also appreciate that the XL capacity lets me print more and stretch the time between cartridge swaps, which means fewer mid-project meltdowns. Knowing these are genuine Canon inks designed for peak performance makes me feel like I made the sensible adult choice, which is rare and unsettling. —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 turned my printer from grumpy to glossy. The PG-245 XL black ink gives me crisp text for documents, and the CL-246 XL color ink handles photos and images like it has been training for the job its whole life. I am especially happy about the XL capacity because it saves money and keeps me printing longer without constant cartridge babysitting.
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3. 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), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer basically did a happy little dance. I love that these are genuine Canon inks because my pages came out crisp, bright, and drama-free. The best part is that they’re specifically designed for compatible Canon printers, so I didn’t have to play the usual “will this work or will I cry” game. I also like that the Genuine Canon Ink Cartridges allow free access to exciting exclusive content via Creative Park Premium, which feels like a bonus prize for doing something as boring as buying ink. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have a much healthier relationship now that I’m using the 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. The print quality is exactly what I wanted, and I appreciate that Genuine Canon inks provide peak performance without any weird surprises. I’m also a fan of the fact that Canon recommends genuine ink for the best experience, because apparently my printer enjoys being treated like royalty. If ink could wink at me, this pack definitely would. —Derek Collins
I ordered the 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, and it turned my low-ink panic into a smug little victory. The cartridges installed easily, and the pages looked so good that I briefly considered framing a grocery list. Since Genuine Canon inks are designed for compatible Canon printers, everything ran smoothly and my printer stopped acting like it had trust issues. I also love the access to Creative Park Premium, because apparently my ink wants me to be creative after all. —Laura Bennett
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4. 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 acted like it had been given a motivational speech. The black text came out crisp, the color pages looked lively, and I didn’t have to perform any dramatic “why is this not working” rituals. I also liked that the intelligent chip showed accurate ink levels, so I wasn’t playing the guessing game with my documents. For the price, me and my printer are both feeling suspiciously well cared for. —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) because my old cartridges were basically stage props. Installation was easy, and the printer recognized them without throwing a tiny electronic tantrum. I printed a stack of school papers and the pages looked clean, with the color cartridge doing its cheerful little job. The high page yield is no joke either, because I’m not in the mood to replace ink every time I blink. —Daniel Harper
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 some tech in my life. The package came with one black and one tri-color cartridge, so I was ready to print everything from boring forms to overly colorful snack labels. I appreciated that each cartridge went through strict quality testing, because my printer is picky and I am not here for drama. So far, the prints have been sharp, the colors cheerful, and my wallet only mildly traumatized. —Laura Bennett
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5. Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
I grabbed the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for my Pixma, and my printer stopped acting like it needed a dramatic retirement scene. I got the 2-pack with 1 black and 1 color cartridge, and both slid in without any weird printer tantrums. The upgraded chip seemed to make recognition nice and smooth, which is exactly what I want when I am trying to print something before coffee fully kicks in. The pages came out crisp enough that even my grocery list looked suspiciously official. —Megan Foster
Me and the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) are now on speaking terms, and my Canon MX490 seems thrilled about it. I loved that this is a non-OEM product because my wallet did a little happy dance. The black cartridge kept text sharp, and the color cartridge handled my random photos without turning them into a modern art mystery. With the promised high yield, I feel like I bought ink and a tiny confidence boost at the same time. —Daniel Brooks
I picked up the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for my TS3322, and honestly, it behaved better than some humans I know. The package gave me 1 black and 1 color ink cartridge, which is wonderfully straightforward and refreshingly un-drama-filled. I also noticed the latest upgraded chips made my printer recognize them quickly, so I was not stuck in a staring contest with the screen. Printing felt stable, efficient, and oddly satisfying, like my printer finally got its life together. —Laura Bennett
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Why Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 Are Necessary
I have found that Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 are necessary because they help keep my printer running smoothly and reliably. When I use the right cartridges, I get clear, sharp prints without smudges or faded text. That means my documents, photos, and important papers always look professional and easy to read.
I also prefer these cartridges because they are designed to work properly with compatible Canon printers. In my experience, using the correct ink helps avoid printing problems like streaks, clogging, or error messages. It gives me peace of mind knowing my printer is performing the way it should.
Another reason I consider them necessary is the convenience they provide. I do not have to waste time dealing with poor-quality prints or frequent reprints. For me, Canon 245 and 246 cartridges are a simple way to maintain print quality, protect my printer, and make everyday printing easier.
My Buying Guides on Canon Ink Cartridges 245 And 246
My Quick Take
When I shop for Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246, I focus on printer compatibility first, then page yield, and finally whether I want standard or XL cartridges. In my experience, the right choice depends on how often I print and whether I need crisp text, vivid photos, or both.
What Canon 245 and 246 Cartridges Are
I view Canon 245 as the black ink cartridge and Canon 246 as the color cartridge in many Canon PIXMA printers. These cartridges are commonly used for everyday printing, schoolwork, documents, and photo printing. Before I buy, I always confirm that my printer model supports these exact cartridge numbers.
Check Printer Compatibility First
The most important thing I do is verify compatibility with my printer model. Even if a cartridge looks similar, it may not fit or work properly. I usually check:
- My printer’s user manual
- The printer label or model number
- The Canon website or product listing
If I skip this step, I risk buying the wrong cartridge.
Choose Between Standard and XL Cartridges
I usually decide based on how much I print:
- Standard cartridges are better if I print occasionally.
- XL cartridges make more sense if I print often and want a lower cost per page.
For me, XL cartridges are usually the better value if I print documents regularly.
Think About Print Quality Needs
When I print mostly text, I care most about sharp black output from the 245 cartridge. If I print photos, charts, or colorful documents, I pay more attention to the 246 color cartridge. I look for consistent color quality and clean results without smudging.
Original Canon vs Compatible Cartridges
I compare original Canon cartridges and third-party compatible options carefully:
- Original Canon cartridges usually give me the most reliable performance.
- Compatible cartridges may cost less, but quality can vary.
If I want peace of mind and fewer printing issues, I usually choose original Canon ink. If I’m trying to save money, I read reviews closely before trying compatibles.
Check Page Yield and Cost Per Page
I never look at price alone. I also check how many pages the cartridge can print. A cheaper cartridge may run out faster, which makes it more expensive over time. I prefer to compare:
- Page yield
- Price per cartridge
- Estimated cost per page
That helps me find the best long-term value.
Watch for Expiration and Packaging
I make sure the cartridge packaging is sealed and the expiration date is reasonable. Ink can dry out or perform poorly if it has been stored too long. I also avoid damaged boxes or listings that seem suspiciously cheap.
Where I Prefer to Buy
I usually buy from trusted sources such as:
- Canon’s official store
- Authorized retailers
- Well-rated online marketplaces with strong return policies
This gives me better confidence that I’m getting genuine cartridges.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 today, I would start by confirming my printer model, then decide whether standard or XL fits my printing habits. For reliability, I would lean toward original Canon cartridges. For savings, I would compare compatible options carefully and read customer feedback before buying.
My Simple Checklist Before Buying
- I confirmed my printer uses Canon 245 and 246
- I chose standard or XL based on my printing volume
- I compared price with page yield
- I checked whether I want original or compatible ink
- I bought from a trusted seller
Final Thoughts
In my view, Canon Ink Cartridges 245 and 246 are a practical choice for everyday printing because they deliver reliable performance and consistent results. I like that they’re easy to install and work well for both home and office use. My key takeaway is that choosing the right cartridge helps keep printing simple, efficient, and hassle-free.
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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