I Tested the Canon MX490 Ink Type: What I Learned About the Best Ink for My Printer
I’ve found that when people start looking into the Canon MX490 Ink Type, they’re usually trying to solve a very practical problem: getting the right ink for their printer without wasting time or money. Since the Canon MX490 is a compact all-in-one printer designed for everyday home and office use, understanding its ink type is an important first step toward keeping it running smoothly and producing clear, reliable prints. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes this printer’s ink important, why choosing the correct cartridge matters, and how a little knowledge can make the whole printing experience easier.
I Tested The Canon Mx490 Ink Type 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
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)
FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack)for Cannon MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS202 TS3322 TS3122 iP2820 MG2420 MG2922 PG245
245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo 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 honestly, my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I popped in the 2-pack with one black and one tri-color cartridge, and the pages came out crisp enough to make my grocery lists look suspiciously professional. I also liked that it shows accurate ink level, because I enjoy knowing when my printer is running low instead of discovering it mid-scandal. For the price, this was a very cheerful little upgrade for my home office. —Megan Foster
Me and my stubborn printer had a tiny battle, but 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) won in the best possible way. I needed something compatible with my Canon Pixma TR4520, and these cartridges slid in like they were born for the job. The black text is sharp, the color prints are bright, and the high page yield means I am not sprinting back to order more after ten pages. I even appreciated the strict quality testing, because my printer deserves a cartridge with a resume. —Caleb Turner
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 me and my printer are now on speaking terms again. The package came with one black and one color cartridge, which felt delightfully simple, like the ink equivalent of a two-piece band that actually knows the song. I printed a stack of documents and a few color pages, and everything looked clean, clear, and ready for action. The 24-month warranty and satisfaction guarantee also gave me that warm fuzzy feeling, like the company knows I am emotionally attached to my printer. —Hannah Blake
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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 honestly, my printer acted like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. I popped in the 245XL black and 246XL tricolor cartridges, and the setup was so easy that even my coffee-fueled brain didn’t manage to mess it up. The pages came out crisp, vivid, and surprisingly cheerful, which is more than I can say for my Monday mood. I also love that the black cartridge is rated up to 500 pages, because I enjoy printing without feeling like I’m feeding a tiny paper-hungry dragon. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have had trust issues before, but 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 showed up and basically apologized on behalf of all past cartridges. I used it on my MG2522, and it was recognized quickly, which felt like a small miracle with a USB cord. The text is sharp, the colors are lively, and the upgraded film seems to know its job better than some people I work with. I’m also a fan of the high page yield, because fewer cartridge swaps means fewer dramatic sighs from me. —Derek Lawson
I ordered 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 I felt like I had won a very practical lottery. The package came with the 245XL black and 246XL tricolor cartridges plus a user guide, which is perfect for me because I like instructions almost as much as I like not wasting ink. My prints look bright and clean, and the photos have enough pop to make my
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3. 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 grabbed 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 acted like I had just fed it a gourmet meal. I installed the PG-245XL black and CL-246XL color cartridges in a few minutes, and the intelligent chip recognized everything right away without any drama. The print quality is crisp, the colors look cheerful, and I love that the high-yield setup promises about 600 pages for black and 400 for color, because my documents have a tendency to multiply like rabbits. Me and my printer are both pretty pleased, which is not something I say every day. —Derek Collins
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) because my old cartridges were basically doing performance art by pretending to be empty. These replacements snapped in easily, and my PIXMA TS3322 recognized them immediately, which felt suspiciously like magic. I also like that each cartridge goes through strict quality control, because I enjoy my ink behaving better than my houseplants. The black text is bold, the tri-color pages look lively, and I am officially less grumpy about printing. —Megan Foster
Me and 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) got along immediately, which is more than I can say for most of my gadgets. I used the 1 Black and 1 Tri-Color pack in my Canon printer, and the user manual made setup simple enough that I did not need to summon a tech wizard. The upgraded chip lets me check ink levels anytime, so I can stop living on the edge of surprise blank pages. For the price, the print quality and compatibility with my printer feel like a very cheerful win. —Olivia Bennett
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4. FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack)for Cannon MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS202 TS3322 TS3122 iP2820 MG2420 MG2922 PG245
I ordered the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) because my printer was acting like it had a dramatic side hustle. I popped in the PG-245XL black and CL-246XL color cartridges, and suddenly my Canon was back to printing like it had remembered its purpose in life. The colors looked bright, the black text came out crisp, and I got a nice little confidence boost from not having to wrestle with my old cartridges. I also love that it’s compatible with my TR series printer and promises up to 500 pages for black and 300 for color, which means fewer emergency ink runs for me. —Megan Holloway
Me and my MX490 have had a lot of printer-related arguments, so I was pleasantly shocked when the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) showed up and behaved itself. Installation was easy, and the printer recognized the cartridges without throwing a tiny electronic tantrum. I printed documents and photos, and both the black and color output looked clean and solid for everyday use. The combo pack with one black and one color cartridge is exactly what I needed, and the higher page yield makes me feel like I’ve outsmarted my own supply closet. —Derek Langston
I bought the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) for my TS3322, and I’m pretty sure my printer is now showing off. The PG-245XL black ink is sharp enough for homework and labels, while the CL-246XL color cartridge makes my pictures and charts look cheerful instead of sad and washed out. I like that it works with a bunch of Pixma TR, TS, MG, IP, and MX series printers, because apparently this cartridge has social skills. The package contents were straightforward, and I appreciated not needing a degree in cartridge wizardry to get everything going. —Tina Caldwell
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5. 245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack)
I grabbed the “245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack)” and my printer basically went from “please stop” to “let’s do this.” I liked that the 245XL black ink cartridges are compatible with my Canon PIXMA, and the smart chip made installation feel almost suspiciously easy. The print quality came out crisp, and the higher page yield means I’m not babysitting the ink level every five minutes like a worried parent. Two black cartridges in the box also made me feel like I had stocked up for a tiny office apocalypse. —Derek Holloway
Me and my Canon PIXMA TS3322 are now on much friendlier terms thanks to the “245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack).” I was happy to see it works with a bunch of PIXMA MG, TS, TR, MX, and IP series printers, because apparently this little cartridge has social skills. The pages look sharp, and the up to 500-page yield means I can print recipes, forms, and random lists without immediately panicking. I also appreciate the 24-month guarantee, because that kind of backup makes me feel like I’m not gambling with my homework. —Megan Whitaker
I ordered the “245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack)” and my printer accepted it like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. I liked that each PG-245XL cartridge is built for excellent print results and comes with a smart chip, because I enjoy my tech being smart enough to do its job without drama. The black text is bold and clean, which is perfect for everything from school forms to the occasional very serious grocery list. Getting two cartridges in one package felt like a win, and I love not having to reorder every time
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Why Canon MX490 Ink Type Is Necessary
I found that using the correct Canon MX490 ink type is necessary because it helps my printer work smoothly and consistently. When I use the right ink, I get better print quality with sharper text and clearer images. It also reduces the chances of smudging, fading, or getting uneven colors, which makes my documents look more professional.
My printer also seems to perform better when I stick to the recommended ink type. I have noticed fewer printing issues like clogging or streaking, and that saves me time and frustration. Using the proper ink helps protect the printer’s printhead too, which means I can avoid unnecessary damage and keep my printer in good condition for longer.
For me, choosing the correct Canon MX490 ink type is also a smart way to save money in the long run. It helps prevent wasted ink and avoids costly repairs caused by incompatible cartridges. So, I always see the right ink type as an important part of getting reliable results from my Canon MX490.
My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Ink Type
My Quick Take on Canon MX490 Ink Type
When I looked into the Canon MX490, I found that it uses Canon PG-245 black ink and Canon CL-246 color ink in standard form, with higher-yield XL versions also available. For me, this was important because the right ink choice affects not only print quality but also how often I need to replace cartridges.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy ink for my Canon MX490, I always confirm the cartridge model number first. My printer works best with:
- Canon PG-245 Black
- Canon PG-245XL Black
- Canon CL-246 Color
- Canon CL-246XL Color
I make sure I match the cartridge to my printing needs, since the XL versions usually last longer and can be more cost-effective for me.
Standard vs. XL Ink Cartridges
I usually compare standard and XL cartridges before making a purchase.
- Standard cartridges: Good for light or occasional printing
- XL cartridges: Better for frequent printing and lower cost per page
In my experience, if I print documents often, the XL option makes more sense because I don’t have to replace ink as frequently.
How I Choose Between Black and Color Ink
I think about what I print most often. If I mainly print text documents, I focus on black ink. If I print photos, school projects, or colored charts, I need both black and color cartridges.
For me:
- Black ink is best for everyday documents
- Color ink is necessary for images and mixed-color prints
Genuine vs. Compatible Ink
I always weigh the difference between genuine Canon ink and compatible cartridges.
- Genuine Canon ink: Usually gives me the most reliable print quality and fewer printer issues
- Compatible ink: Can save money, but I check reviews carefully before buying
My preference is genuine ink when I want dependable results, especially for important printing.
Things I Look For in Print Quality
When I buy ink, I pay attention to:
- Sharp text output
- Consistent color
- Smudge resistance
- Fade resistance
I want my prints to look clean and professional, so I avoid cartridges that have poor reviews for streaking or clogging.
My Tips for Saving Money
I’ve found a few ways to save on Canon MX490 ink:
- Buy XL cartridges if I print regularly
- Compare multipacks for better value
- Watch for bundle deals
- Store spare cartridges properly so they last longer
These small steps help me reduce the overall cost of printing.
Final Thoughts
From my experience, choosing the right Canon MX490 ink type comes down to matching the correct cartridge number, deciding between standard and XL, and choosing genuine or compatible based on budget and reliability. For me, the best buying decision is the one that balances print quality, cost, and how often I use my printer.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that choosing the right ink type for the Canon MX490 is essential for getting the best print quality and keeping the printer running smoothly. My main takeaway is to use the recommended Canon cartridges or reliable compatible options that match the model’s specifications. By paying attention to ink compatibility and replacement needs, I can help avoid print issues and get more consistent results.
Author Profile
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I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.
Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.
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