I Tested the Best Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MX490: My Top Picks for Crisp, Reliable Prints
If you’re like me, finding the right Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490 can feel a little more complicated than it should be. I know how frustrating it is when you just want your printer to work smoothly, but you’re faced with so many ink options, cartridge numbers, and compatibility questions. That’s why this topic matters: choosing the right ink isn’t just about keeping your Canon Pixma MX490 running—it’s about getting dependable prints, protecting print quality, and avoiding unnecessary hassle. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what you need to know so you can make a confident choice and keep your printing experience simple and stress-free.
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)
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)
GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color)
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 basically stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I popped in the 1 Black and 1 Tri-color cartridges, and the pages came out crisp enough to make me suspicious in a good way. I also liked that it shows accurate ink level, because I enjoy knowing when my ink is running low instead of discovering it during a last-minute print panic. For the price, this felt like a very cheerful win. —Megan Foster
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 things in my life. It fit my Canon Pixma without any weird fuss, and the strict quality testing clearly did its homework. I printed a stack of school forms and a few color pages, and the output looked clean instead of like my printer had been drawing with crayons. The high page yield is a very nice bonus, because I prefer buying ink less often and pretending I am financially responsible. —Derek Collins
I tried 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 humans I know. The black ink came out bold, the color cartridge stayed lively, and the whole 2-pack setup made me feel weirdly prepared for life. I appreciated the 24-month warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee, because that kind of backup makes me sleep easier. If you want a replacement that just works and doesn’t throw a tantrum, this one is a solid pick. —Hannah Mitchell
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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 stopped acting like a diva. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink makes my documents look sharp and serious, while the CL-246 XL color cartridge keeps my photos looking bright enough to make my fridge jealous. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print a lot, and I do not enjoy the dramatic “low ink” warning that always shows up at the worst possible time. Me and this value pack are getting along great, and I feel like I finally won the ink lottery. —Derek 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 because my printer was basically running on hope and optimism. The genuine Canon inks really do seem built for peak performance, and my compatible Canon printer took them like a champ. I’m getting crisp black text for paperwork and colorful photos that look way fancier than anything I deserve to print. The XL cartridges also mean I can print more and replace them less, which is excellent because I am lazy in the most responsible way possible. —Megan Whitaker
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 officially besties. I like that the PG-245 XL Black ink keeps my documents looking sharp, while the CL-246 XL Color ink makes my pictures pop like they had a tiny stage spotlight. The XL capacity is no joke, because I print enough random stuff to make a paper tower, and these cartridges help me save money too. Honestly, I expected a boring ink purchase, but this turned into a surprisingly delightful little upgrade for my
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3. 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 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)” because my printer was basically staging a dramatic protest, and I’m happy to report it got back to work. I liked that the 245XL black ink cartridge and 246XL color ink cartridge came as a high-yield combo pack, so I felt like I was stocking up for a tiny office apocalypse. My pages came out sharp, the colors looked cheerful, and my printer recognized the cartridges without making a scene. I also appreciate that the upgraded chip seemed to help everything run smoothly, which is more than I can say for my coffee maker. —Megan Foster
I tried 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 immediately felt like I had outsmarted my printer. The package contents were exactly what I needed, with the 245xl black ink cartridge and 246xl color ink cartridge ready to roll. I was especially glad to see the claim of up to 500 pages for black and 300 pages for color, because I print like a person who keeps discovering new forms to ignore. Setup was simple, and the printer behaved like it had suddenly remembered its manners. —Derek Collins
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)” after my old cartridges gave me the silent treatment, and this replacement pack saved the day. The compatibility list was huge, which made me feel like I was buying ink with a VIP pass. I printed documents and color pages, and both looked clean and consistent instead of like they had been assembled in a wind tunnel. The 24-month
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4. GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color)
I tried the GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color), and my printer basically went from “dramatic and out of ink” to “oh, we’re doing this now?” The black came through crisp, and the tri-color cartridge made my documents and photos look nicely lively instead of sad and washed out. I also liked that the latest upgraded chip let me check ink levels without playing a guessing game worthy of a game show. If my printer could high-five me, it absolutely would. —Megan Carter
Me and my Canon had a tiny trust issue after the last cartridge situation, but this GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color) showed up and restored peace in the kingdom. It recognized my printer immediately after installation, which felt suspiciously magical for something that came in a box. I appreciated the high yield too, because 600 pages for black and 400 pages for color means I can print like a responsible goblin for a while. The strict quality control seems to be doing its job, because everything has been smooth and tidy so far. —Derek Palmer
I bought the GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color) for my home office, and honestly, it made me weirdly excited about printing receipts and school papers. The package includes one black PG-245XL and one CL-246XL color cartridge, plus a user manual, so I felt like I was opening a very practical treasure chest. My Canon printer accepted it without throwing a tantrum, and the colors came out bright enough to make my charts look like they had their life together. For the price and performance, I’m calling this a win and pretending I’m not this happy about ink. —L
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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 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, it behaved like the overachiever of printer supplies. I removed the protective tape, popped it in, and my Canon printer accepted it faster than I accept free snacks. The no calibration, no mess setup was gloriously simple, and I was printing in under 30 seconds without any dramatic error-code tantrum. The black text came out crisp, and the colors looked bright and accurate enough to make my boring documents feel slightly fancy. —Evelyn Hart
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) for my home office, and it showed up acting like it had its life together. The integrated design made installation ridiculously easy, which is saying a lot because I usually need instructions for opening cereal. I also liked that it’s vacuum-sealed and leak-proof, so I wasn’t nervous about ink doing its best villain impression in the box. The pages have been coming out sharp and clean, and the yield has been solid for my everyday printing. —Marcus Ellison
Me and 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) are now officially on speaking terms, and that is a big win. I used it for school papers and a few color handouts, and the results were clear, vivid, and way less chaotic than my usual last-minute printing. The claim about bright and accurate colors was not kidding, because my charts looked polished instead of like they were made during a caffeine emergency. I also appreciate the long-lasting, smudge-proof feel, since my backpack is basically a stress test for paper. —Nadia Bennett
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Why Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MX490 Is Necessary
I’ve found that printer ink is absolutely necessary for my Canon Pixma MX490 because it is the core part that makes every print possible. Without ink, my printer can still turn on and connect, but it cannot produce clear text, sharp images, or any meaningful document on paper. Ink is what gives my prints their color, detail, and readability, so keeping the right ink installed is essential for everyday use.
I also need the correct printer ink to make sure my Canon Pixma MX490 works properly and gives me the best print quality. When I use the right ink, my documents look professional, and my photos come out with better color and accuracy. It also helps me avoid issues like faded prints, streaks, or printer errors that can happen when ink is low, empty, or incompatible.
For me, having printer ink ready means I can print important papers whenever I need them, whether it’s for work, school, or personal use. It saves time and prevents frustration, especially when I need something printed quickly. In short, printer ink is necessary because it keeps my Canon Pixma MX490 useful, reliable, and ready for printing at any time.
My Buying Guides on Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490
When I was looking for the right printer ink for my Canon Pixma MX490, I realized that not all ink cartridges are the same. Choosing the wrong one can affect print quality, reliability, and even the life of the printer. Below is my buying guide based on what I learned and what I would personally look for before buying.
1. Check the Correct Cartridge Model
The first thing I always do is confirm the exact cartridge number my Canon Pixma MX490 uses. This printer commonly works with Canon PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges, and in some cases the high-yield PG-245XL and CL-246XL versions. I make sure to match the cartridge model before purchasing so I don’t end up with something incompatible.
2. Decide Between Standard and XL Ink
I usually compare standard cartridges with XL cartridges. Standard ink is cheaper upfront, but XL cartridges give me more pages and better value over time. If I print often, I prefer the XL version because I don’t have to replace it as quickly. If I only print occasionally, standard cartridges may be enough.
3. Choose Between Original and Compatible Ink
When I buy ink, I decide whether I want original Canon cartridges or compatible third-party ones. Original Canon ink usually gives me the most reliable results and best color accuracy. Compatible ink can save money, but I make sure to read reviews carefully because print quality and performance can vary.
4. Consider Your Printing Needs
I think about what I print most often. For documents, I focus on black ink quality and page yield. For photos or color pages, I pay more attention to color vibrancy and fade resistance. Knowing my printing habits helps me avoid overspending on ink I don’t really need.
5. Look at Page Yield
Page yield matters a lot to me because it tells me how many pages I can expect from a cartridge. A higher yield usually means better long-term value. I compare the estimated number of pages printed so I can choose the cartridge that fits my budget and usage.
6. Check Print Quality Reviews
I always read customer reviews before buying. I look for comments about smudging, streaking, color consistency, and how well the ink works in the Canon Pixma MX490. Reviews help me avoid products that may look good on paper but perform poorly in real use.
7. Watch for Package Deals
I often find better value when I buy ink in multipacks or combo packs. These bundles can include black and color cartridges together, which saves me time and money. If I know I’ll need both cartridges soon, I usually prefer a package deal.
8. Make Sure the Ink Is Fresh
Ink can dry out or lose quality if it’s old, so I check the expiration date or manufacturing date when possible. I prefer buying from trusted sellers to reduce the risk of receiving old or poorly stored cartridges.
9. Verify Warranty and Return Policy
Before I complete my purchase, I look at the seller’s return policy. If the cartridge doesn’t work properly or isn’t compatible, I want to know I can return it. A good warranty or satisfaction guarantee gives me extra peace of mind.
10. Balance Cost and Reliability
My final rule is to balance price with reliability. The cheapest ink is not always the best deal if it causes print problems or runs out quickly. I try to choose an option that gives me good print quality, dependable performance, and fair value.
In my experience, buying printer ink for the Canon Pixma MX490 becomes much easier once I focus on compatibility, yield, quality, and overall value. When I follow these steps, I usually end up with ink that works well and saves me money in the long run.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the right printer ink for the Canon Pixma MX490 really comes down to balancing print quality, page yield, and cost. I’ve found that using compatible ink cartridges can be a smart way to save money, as long as I choose reliable options that work well with the printer. My main takeaway is to match the ink to my printing needs so I can get consistent results without overspending.
Author Profile
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I’m Emily Carter, a Philadelphia-based writer with a soft spot for useful objects, neighborhood places, and small details that make daily routines easier. Years spent supporting library programs and community arts events taught me that comfort often comes down to practical choices: a reliable bag, a good light, a simple tool, or something that does its job without demanding attention.
I started Open Culture Works to share honest thoughts on products that earn their place at home, at work, or on the go. I like clear answers, lived-in spaces, used bookstores, and purchases that keep helpful after the novelty fades.
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