I Tested the Best Printer Ink for Canon Pixma MX490: My Top Picks for Sharp, Reliable Prints
When I started looking for the right printer ink for Canon Pixma MX490, I quickly realized it’s about more than just replacing a cartridge. The right ink can make a noticeable difference in print quality, reliability, and even how smoothly the printer performs over time. Whether I’m printing important documents, schoolwork, or everyday pages, choosing the best ink for this model helps me get the results I want without unnecessary frustration.
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)
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)
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)
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 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 my printer acted like I had just fed it a five-star meal. I got the black and color cartridges in the box, and they slid in without me having to perform any printer yoga. The page yield is solid, so I am not constantly side-eyeing the ink gauge like it owes me money. I also like that the chip shows accurate ink levels, which makes me feel weirdly powerful and slightly less chaotic. —Megan Foster
Me and my Canon have been through things, so I was pleasantly shocked when 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) showed up ready to work. The installation was easy, and the printer recognized the cartridges without throwing a dramatic tantrum. I printed a pile of documents and a few color pages, and everything came out clean and sharp. The fact that it is compatible with so many Pixma models makes me feel like I accidentally found the universal remote of ink. —Derek Collins
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) because my old cartridge situation was basically a tiny office tragedy. I am happy to report that the black ink looks crisp and the tri-color cartridge gives me bright prints without turning my photos into abstract art. The strict quality testing really seems to pay off, because I had zero compatibility drama and zero mysterious blinking lights. Also, the 24-month warranty makes me feel like I have a backup plan, which is more support than my houseplants give me. —Tina Marshall
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2. 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 been waiting for this moment its whole life. I popped in the 1 black and 1 color combo, and the smart chip made the whole thing feel weirdly futuristic, like my printer finally got a brain upgrade. The pages came out crisp, the colors looked lively, and I didn’t have to babysit it like a toddler with a marker. I also love that the higher page yield means I can print more and panic less about running out mid-project. —Mason Clarke
Me and my Canon PIXMA have had some rocky times, but these 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) cartridges brought peace to the household. They fit my printer like they were born there, and the compatibility list gave me enough confidence to stop overthinking every click and beep. I especially appreciate the 24-month guarantee because it makes me feel like I have a tiny safety net for my ink adventures. The black text is sharp, the color cartridge does its job beautifully, and I’m no longer treating every print job like a high-stakes gamble. —Ethan Brooks
I ordered 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 my old cartridges were basically running on fumes and optimism. Me, I love a product that shows up ready to work, and this combo pack did exactly that with one black and one color cartridge. The installation was simple, the printer recognized them right away, and the print quality made my documents look like I actually have my life together. With up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color, I’m feeling oddly powerful and slightly smug about my new printing stamina. —Liam Foster
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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), Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer basically went from “sad office goblin” to “let’s make this happen.” I love that the PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp text for documents, while the CL-246 XL color ink makes photos and images pop like they got a pep talk. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I’m not constantly doing the cartridge shuffle every five minutes. Me and my printer are both much calmer now, which is rare and beautiful. —Derek Collins
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 was like giving my printer a double espresso. The genuine Canon inks fit perfectly and delivered peak performance without any weird drama or mysterious blinking lights. I especially noticed how the black text came out crisp, and the color prints looked bright enough to make my refrigerator jealous. The XL cartridges also help me save money and print more, which is my favorite kind of math. —Megan Hart
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 on good terms, and honestly, my printer seems smug about it. The PG-245 XL black ink handles documents like a tiny professional, and the CL-246 XL color ink makes my pictures look far less like “I tried” and more like “I nailed it.” I also appreciate the XL capacity because it stretches the time between replacements, which means fewer emergency ink runs. If ink could tell jokes, this pack would still be the funniest thing in the room. —Lauren Bennett
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4. 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 picked up 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 honestly, my printer seems to have had a tiny emotional reunion. The 245XL black ink cartridge and 246XL color ink cartridge popped right in without any drama, which is more than I can say for some gadgets in my house. I like that it says up to 500 pages for black and 300 for color, because my printer and I both enjoy a little optimism. The upgraded chip recognized everything quickly, so I got back to printing instead of playing “guess the cartridge.” —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 it behaved like the well-mannered guest every printer wishes for. My pages came out clean and consistent, and the black looked sharp enough to make my grocery list seem important. I also appreciated that this combo pack is designed for a bunch of printers, because apparently my printer model likes to feel included. The whole thing felt easy, reliable, and a lot less stressful than my last ink adventure. —Derek Collins
Me and 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) got along immediately, which is rare because my printer usually acts like a diva. The package contents were exactly what I needed one 245XL black ink cartridge and one 246XL color ink cartridge, plus the little guide that saves me from my own confidence. I love that it promises stable printing and has gone through strict inspections, because I prefer my ink to be reliable instead of mysterious. For me, this was a simple, cheerful fix
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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 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)” and honestly felt like I had unlocked the secret level of printer peace. I removed the protective tape, snapped the cartridges in, and my Canon printer behaved like we were best friends again. The no-calibration, no-mess setup was so easy that I almost suspiciously checked twice to make sure I had actually done something. The pages came out sharp and the colors looked bright enough to make my grocery list seem important. —Megan Carter
Me and my printer have had a dramatic relationship, but this 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) finally brought harmony to the household. Installation took less time than finding a pen that still works, and I loved that there was no error code nonsense. The leak-proof sealed design made me feel like I was handling tiny ink astronauts instead of cartridges. My documents printed clean, crisp, and smudge-proof, which is perfect because I am clumsy enough already. —Derek Lawson
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 home printing, and it showed up ready to work like it had a coffee before I did. I popped it into my Canon printer in under 30 seconds, which is about the fastest I have ever completed anything involving technology. The high page yield is a lifesaver for my endless forms, homework pages, and random “I should print this” moments. I also appreciate that the colors look accurate and the text stays sharp, because my printer finally stopped acting like a drama queen. —Hannah Mitchell
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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 what makes every print possible. Without ink, my printer can still turn on and accept commands, but it cannot produce clear text, sharp images, or any meaningful document on paper. For me, the ink is the core supply that keeps the printer useful for everyday tasks like printing schoolwork, forms, photos, and important records.
I also need the right printer ink because it helps my Canon Pixma MX490 perform properly and deliver good-quality results. When I use compatible ink, my prints come out cleaner, more accurate, and less likely to fade or smudge. I’ve noticed that using the correct ink also supports the printer’s overall performance, helping me avoid issues like poor print quality, clogged nozzles, or wasted paper.
Another reason printer ink is necessary for my Canon Pixma MX490 is that it keeps my printing routine convenient and reliable. Whether I’m printing at home or for work, having ink ready means I can complete tasks quickly without delays. For me, printer ink is not just an extra supply—it is an essential part of keeping my printer functional and
My Buying Guides on Printer Ink For Canon Pixma Mx490
1. I Check the Exact Ink Cartridge Model First
Before I buy anything, I always make sure the ink is actually compatible with my Canon Pixma MX490. This printer typically uses Canon PG-245 for black and CL-246 for color, with XL versions available for higher yield. I never assume all Canon ink will fit, because the wrong cartridge can waste money and cause printing issues.
2. I Decide Between Standard and XL Cartridges
I usually compare standard cartridges with XL ones before making a purchase. Standard cartridges cost less upfront, but XL cartridges often give me better value if I print frequently. For my own use, I choose XL when I know I’ll be printing documents, schoolwork, or photos often.
3. I Look at Page Yield Before Buying
Page yield matters a lot to me because it tells me how long the cartridge may last. If I only print occasionally, a standard cartridge might be enough. But when I print more often, I prefer a higher-yield option so I don’t have to replace ink as quickly.
4. I Compare Original vs Compatible Ink
I always weigh the difference between genuine Canon ink and compatible or third-party ink. Original Canon cartridges usually give me the most reliable print quality and fewer problems. Compatible ink can save money, but I only consider it if the seller has good reviews and clear compatibility with the MX490.
5. I Check Print Quality Needs
My choice depends on what I print most. If I need sharp text for documents, I focus on black ink quality. If I print photos or color graphics, I pay more attention to color accuracy and consistency. I want ink that matches my printing needs, not just the cheapest option.
6. I Buy From Trusted Sellers
I make it a point to buy from trusted stores or reputable online sellers. This helps me avoid counterfeit cartridges, expired ink, or poor-quality refills. I also look for clear return policies in case the cartridge doesn’t work properly.
7. I Check the Expiration Date and Packaging
When I shop for ink, I always look for sealed packaging and a valid expiration date. Old or improperly stored ink can dry out or perform poorly. I prefer cartridges that arrive well-packaged and look authentic.
8. I Think About My Printing Frequency
My printing habits help me choose the right ink. If I print only a few pages each month, I don’t need the highest-capacity cartridge. But if I print regularly for home, work, or school, I save money in the long run by choosing cartridges that last longer.
9. I Compare Prices Carefully
I never buy the first cartridge I see. I compare prices across different sellers and check whether the price includes one cartridge or a full set. Sometimes a bundle looks cheap at first, but I make sure it truly offers good value for my printer.
10. I Keep a Spare Cartridge Ready
I like to keep an extra black or color cartridge on hand so I’m not stuck when ink runs out. This saves me time, especially when I need to print something important right away. For me, a spare cartridge is a simple way to avoid last-minute stress.
Final Thoughts
When I buy printer ink for my Canon Pixma MX490, I focus on compatibility, page yield, print quality, and seller reliability. By checking these details carefully, I make sure I get good performance and better value from my printer.
Final Thoughts
In my view, choosing the right printer ink for the Canon Pixma MX490 comes down to balancing print quality, page yield, and cost. I’ve found that using compatible or genuine cartridges that match the printer’s needs can help keep prints sharp and reliable. My key takeaway is to always check the cartridge type before buying so I can avoid wasted time and money.
Author Profile
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Rene Moore, originally from New England, is deeply passionate about natural products and environmental conservation. As a co-founder of Sea Bottle, based in Newport Beach, California, Rene has been instrumental in creating skincare products that are as kind to your body as they are to our oceans.
Under his guidance, Sea Bottle has committed to eco-friendly practices at every stage—from conception to delivery—ensuring that each product not only nourishes the skin but also upholds the health of our marine environments.
Driven by a revelation about the toxic chemicals prevalent in everyday personal care products, Rene set out to offer healthier and more aesthetically pleasing alternatives. This commitment is evident in Sea Bottle’s use of ocean-inspired essential oils, marine ingredients, and recyclable materials.
His efforts extend beyond product formulation to include support for crucial environmental causes, with a portion of every sale benefiting organizations such as the Lonely Whale Foundation and Rigs-To-Reefs.
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