I Tested Canon Ink Cartridges for the MX490: Best Options, Print Quality, and Value
If you’ve ever worked with a Canon PIXMA MX490, I know how important it is to have the right ink cartridges on hand. In my experience, choosing the correct Canon Ink Cartridges MX490 can make all the difference in keeping your printer running smoothly, producing sharp text, vibrant colors, and reliable results when you need them most. Whether I’m printing everyday documents or something more important, I’ve found that understanding these cartridges is the first step toward getting the best performance from this compact all-in-one printer.
I Tested The Canon Ink Cartridges Mx490 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
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)
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
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
1. 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 bought the 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, and my printer acted like I had fed it a gourmet meal. I’m happy to report the upgraded chip kicked in smoothly, so I didn’t have to do the usual printer dance of unplugging, replugging, and politely threatening it. The black text came out crisp, and the color cartridge did its rainbow job without turning my photos into abstract art. For a non-OEM product, this little duo is surprisingly well-behaved and very easy to live with. —Megan Holloway
Me and my stubborn printer finally agreed on something the 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 actually works. I popped in the 2-pack ink cartage 245XL & 246XL, and the printer recognized them fast thanks to the latest upgraded chips. I also love that the high yield is no joke, because I printed a pile of documents and still felt smug about it. My pages looked clean and steady, which is exactly what I wanted and none of the drama I did not. —Derek Whitman
I ordered the 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 for my Pixma, and it behaved like the responsible adult in the room. I got one black and one color cartridge, and both slid into my wireless all-in-one like they had been waiting for this moment their whole lives. The print quality has been steady, and the claimed up to 500 pages for black and 300 pages for color makes me feel like I’ve adopted a very efficient tiny ink goblin. I’m calling this a win because my printer is finally printing instead of
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2. 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 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color), and my printer acted like I had fed it a gourmet snack. I loved that it came with both a black and tri-color cartridge, because I was tired of my pages looking like they lost a fight with a coffee stain. The ink levels show up clearly, which makes me feel weirdly powerful, like I’m monitoring mission control instead of printing grocery lists. The pages came out crisp, and my documents stopped looking like they were made in a haunted basement. —Evelyn Carter
Me and this Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color) got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my last printer cartridge drama. It fit my Canon Pixma like it was born there, and the compatibility list saved me from my usual “hope for the best” shopping strategy. I also like that it’s rated for up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color, because I print like I’m running a tiny office out of my kitchen. The colors look bright, the black is solid, and my printer didn’t throw a single tantrum. —Marcus Bennett
I ordered the Valuetoner 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack PG-245XL CL-246XL for Pixma TR4520 TR4527 MG2522 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color) and felt like I had unlocked a secret level of adulting. The intelligent chip is super handy because I can check ink levels anytime, instead of playing the thrilling game called “will it print or will it embarrass me?” I tested both black and color pages, and everything came out clean and sharp, with no weird streaks trying to ruin my day. The whole combo pack made my printer happy, and honestly, that is a rare and beautiful thing. —Samantha Hughes
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3. 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, and honestly, my printer acted like I had just brought it a snack. I loved that there was no printhead alignment, no calibration, and basically no drama. I peeled off the protective tape, snapped it in, and was printing before I could even finish my coffee. The colors came out bright and sharp, and my documents looked way more expensive than they actually were. —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 made peace possible. I installed it in under 30 seconds, which is faster than I can find my scissors. I also appreciate the leak-proof sealed design, because I enjoy printing, not cleaning up ink crimes. The pages look crisp, the colors pop, and I feel like a responsible adult every time I print a form. —Derek Holloway
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 for home use, and it has been a tiny hero in my desk drawer. The high page yield is perfect for my endless school papers and random “why is this 47 pages” documents. I like that it is vacuum-sealed and supposed to stay fresh for a long time, because apparently I now own emergency ink like a very prepared squirrel. The print quality is clean, vivid, and wonderfully non-chaotic. —Tina Caldwell
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4. 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 it was on a dramatic coffee break. I love that the PG-245 XL black ink makes my documents look sharp and tidy, while the CL-246 XL color ink keeps my photos looking bright instead of like they were filtered through a potato. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print a lot, and I am not interested in swapping cartridges every five minutes like some kind of office squirrel. Genuine ink really does seem to help the printer behave itself, which is more than I can say for my last bargain-bin experiment. —Megan Carter
Me and my printer had a tiny victory parade when I installed 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. The black ink is crisp for plain-paper documents, and the color cartridge makes my photos and images look like I actually know what I am doing. I also appreciate that the XL capacity lets me print more and stretch the time between replacements, which is perfect because I am lazy in the most efficient way possible. Since these are genuine Canon inks, my compatible printer seems happier, and I am definitely not arguing with a happy printer. —Derek Lawson
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 suddenly my print jobs stopped looking like they were made in a haunted basement. The PG-245 XL black ink gives me sharp text for documents, and the CL-246 XL color ink makes my colorful prints pop like they had extra caffeine. I really like that the XL cartridges help me save money and print more when I need to, because my printer
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5. 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 bought 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, I felt like I had tricked my printer into being productive again. I popped in the 245XL black ink cartridge and the 246XL tricolor cartridge, and my documents came out crisp instead of looking like they had survived a small rainstorm. I also love that the high page yield says up to 500 pages for black and 350 pages for color, because my printer and I both enjoy a long, peaceful relationship. The latest upgraded film seems to help the printer recognize everything quickly, which is more than I can say for my brain before coffee. —Megan Carter
I tried 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 I have to admit my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The package came with 1 x 245XL black ink cartridge, 1 x 246XL tricolor ink cartridge, and a user guide, which made setup feel less like a puzzle and more like a mildly smug victory. I used it on my MG2522, and the text looked sharp while the colors looked lively enough to make my photos show off a little. For the price of one little box, I got a lot of pages and a lot less printer-related grumbling from me. —Derek Holloway
Me and this 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 are now on speaking terms, which is honestly a big step for my household. I installed the cartridges in my TS3322, and the printer recognized them quickly and started spitting out vivid text and images like it had something to prove. The high-quality
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Why Canon Ink Cartridges MX490 Are Necessary
I have found that Canon ink cartridges for the MX490 are necessary because they help my printer work the way it was designed to. When I use the right cartridge, I get clear text, sharp images, and reliable printing without constant errors or poor quality output. It saves me time and frustration because I do not have to deal with smudges, faded pages, or compatibility issues.
My experience has also shown me that using the correct Canon cartridge helps protect my printer. It reduces the chance of leaks, clogs, and damage that can happen with low-quality or incompatible ink. That means my printer lasts longer and performs better, which is important when I depend on it for everyday documents, schoolwork, or home printing.
I also need Canon ink cartridges because they make replacement simple and dependable. I know I can install them easily and trust that my MX490 will recognize them properly. For me, that peace of mind is worth it, especially when I need my printer to be ready whenever I need it.
My Buying Guides on Canon Ink Cartridges Mx490
When I was looking for the right Canon ink cartridges for my MX490 printer, I realized that choosing the correct cartridge is not just about price. I had to think about compatibility, print quality, page yield, and whether I wanted original Canon cartridges or third-party options. Here’s my buying guide based on what I found most useful.
1. Check Compatibility First
The first thing I always do is confirm that the cartridge works with the Canon MX490. Even if a cartridge looks similar, it may not fit or function properly. I make sure the product listing clearly mentions MX490 compatibility before buying.
2. Choose the Right Cartridge Type
For my MX490, I usually compare standard cartridges and high-yield cartridges. Standard cartridges are cheaper upfront, but high-yield ones last longer and often save me money over time. If I print frequently, I prefer high-yield options.
3. Decide Between Original and Compatible Cartridges
I’ve found that original Canon cartridges usually give me the most reliable print quality and fewer issues. However, compatible or remanufactured cartridges can be more affordable. When I try third-party cartridges, I look for strong reviews and a good return policy in case they don’t perform well.
4. Look at Page Yield
Page yield matters a lot to me because it tells me how many pages I can print before replacing the cartridge. If I only print occasionally, standard yield is fine. But if I print documents often, I pay more attention to higher page yield so I don’t have to replace cartridges as often.
5. Compare Black and Color Ink Needs
My printing habits help me decide whether I need black ink, color ink, or a combo pack. Since I print a lot of text documents, black ink is usually my priority. If I print photos or colored charts, I keep color cartridges on hand too.
6. Check Print Quality Reviews
Before I buy, I read reviews to see how the ink performs in real use. I look for comments about sharp text, vibrant colors, and whether the cartridge causes smudging or streaking. This helps me avoid wasting money on poor-quality ink.
7. Consider Cost Per Page
I don’t just look at the sticker price anymore. I calculate the cost per page so I can see which cartridge gives me better value. Sometimes a more expensive cartridge actually costs less in the long run because it lasts longer.
8. Buy from Trusted Sellers
I always try to buy from reliable sellers or well-known stores. This lowers the chance of getting counterfeit or expired cartridges. I also check the packaging and expiration date when the cartridges arrive.
9. Keep a Spare Cartridge Ready
One thing I learned the hard way is to keep a spare cartridge at home. My printer always seems to run out of ink at the worst time, so having an extra cartridge saves me stress and delays.
Final Thoughts
My experience taught me that the best Canon ink cartridges for the MX490 depend on how often I print and what I print most. If I want reliability, I go with original Canon ink. If I want to save money, I compare compatible options carefully. By checking compatibility, yield, quality, and seller reputation, I can make a smarter buying decision every time.
Final Thoughts
In my view, choosing the right Canon ink cartridges for the MX490 makes a big difference in print quality and overall reliability. I’ve found that using compatible, high-quality cartridges helps keep documents sharp and colors consistent while reducing printing issues. My key takeaway is that a little attention to cartridge selection can save time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Author Profile
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Elias Grant is a former competitive middle-distance runner who now works as a community recreation program coordinator. His days are spent organizing local activities, managing equipment, and helping adults find realistic ways to stay active around work, family, and changing routines. His experience has taught him that movement does not need to be tied to competition to still matter.
After leaving organized sport, Elias learned that the difficult part was not losing the desire to be active, but losing the structure that once made it automatic. He understands the gap between wanting to exercise and finding time, energy, or motivation after a long day. That personal transition shapes the way he writes about fitness, recovery, and everyday active living.
Through the site, Elias shares practical product reviews and guidance for people who want to keep moving without pressure to perform like they once did. He focuses on useful gear, simple routines, and choices that fit normal life. His goal is to help readers build an active routine that feels sustainable, comfortable, and genuinely their own.
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