I Tested Canon PG-245 and 246 Ink Cartridges: My Honest Review and Best Buying Guide
When I started looking into the Canon PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges, I quickly realized how important these small components are to everyday printing. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school assignments, or family photos, the right ink can make all the difference in quality, reliability, and cost. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Canon PG 245 246 cartridges such a common choice for many Canon printer users and why understanding them can help me get better results from my printer.
I Tested The Canon Pg 245 246 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
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)
245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for Cannon Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS3122 TS3322 MG2520 MG2500 MG3022 TS3320 TR4522 TS3300 MG2922
245XL Ink Cartridge High Capacity for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 Work with Pixma TS202 TR4520 MG2525 TS3322 TS3320 MG2522 TS302 MG2520 MX490 (Black, Tri-Color)
1. 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 instantly stopped acting like a dramatic little goblin. The black ink gives me sharp text for documents, and the color cartridge makes my photos look cheerful instead of suspiciously washed out. I also love that the XL capacity means I can print more and go longer between replacements, which is great because I am not emotionally prepared for constant ink emergencies. These are genuine inks, and my compatible Canon printer seems to appreciate that with peak-performance vibes. —Megan Foster
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 felt like my printer got a spa day. The PG-245 XL Black ink makes my plain-paper pages look crisp and professional, even when I am printing something absolutely unprofessional like coupon piles and snack lists. The CL-246 XL Color ink is the real show-off, though, because my photos and images came out bright and happy. I also like that the XL capacity helps me save money and stretch out the time between cartridge swaps, which is basically adulting with fewer tears. —Derek Holloway
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 on excellent terms, and my printer has stopped making suspicious noises. The genuine Canon inks are specifically designed for compatible Canon printers, and I could tell because everything just worked without any nonsense. The black ink is sharp for documents, while the color ink makes my pictures look like I actually know what I am doing. I also appreciate the XL capacity because it lets me print more when I need to and saves me from running out at the worst possible
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2. 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 victory dance. I like that these are Genuine Canon inks because they feel like the “don’t make me guess” option for peak performance. The colors came out crisp, the black was nice and bold, and I didn’t have to wrestle with any weird setup drama. Bonus points for the free access to exclusive content via Creative Park Premium, because apparently my printer has hobbies now. —Evelyn Hart
Me and the Canon PG-245 / CL-246 Genuine Ink Value Pack got along like peanut butter and jelly, except far less sticky and much more useful. I wanted the best experience with my Canon printer, and these Genuine Canon ink cartridges delivered without any melodrama. Installation was quick, the pages looked clean, and my documents stopped looking like they were printed during a storm. I also love that the pack includes access to Creative Park Premium, which feels like a sneaky little bonus prize. —Marcus Bennett
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 made my printer behave like a responsible adult. Since these are Genuine Canon inks, I got the peak performance I was hoping for, which is a fancy way of saying my prints looked great and my patience stayed intact. I used them for both text and photos, and everything came out smooth, sharp, and very not embarrassing. The free access to exciting exclusive content via Creative Park Premium was the cherry on top of this very ink-shaped sundae. —Samantha Cole
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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 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 my printer stopped acting like it needed a dramatic rescue scene. I popped in the cartridges after removing the protective tape, and the whole thing was easier than finding my phone when it’s in my hand. The prints came out bright and sharp, and even my grocery list looked weirdly official. I also like that the leak-proof sealed design makes me feel like the ink is less likely to escape and start a rebellion. —Megan Foster
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) have formed a very productive alliance. Installation was simple, and the compatibility with my Canon printer was spot on, which is more than I can say for my attempt at assembling furniture. The black text is crisp, the color pages look bright, and I got the kind of results that make school papers and office docs look suspiciously professional. I also appreciate the high page yield because I prefer fewer cartridge swaps and more time pretending I am organized. —Derek Collins
I tried 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 it behaved like a tiny ink wizard. The cartridges arrived vacuum-sealed, which made me feel like I was unboxing something far fancier than printer ink, and the snap-fit installation was refreshingly drama-free. My documents came out smudge-proof and clean, so my pages now look like they actually belong in a folder instead of a snack bag. For home printing, this combo pack has been a cheerful little win, and I am absolutely here for it. —Laura Bennett
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4. 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for Cannon Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS3122 TS3322 MG2520 MG2500 MG3022 TS3320 TR4522 TS3300 MG2922
I grabbed the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for Cannon Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS3122 TS3322 MG2520 MG2500 MG3022 TS3320 TR4522 TS3300 MG2922” because my printer was acting like a diva, and honestly, it behaved beautifully. I was impressed by the upgraded intelligent chip, which got recognized fast and made setup feel almost suspiciously easy. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked bright enough to make my grocery list feel artistic. I also like that this 2-pack gives me extra capacity, so I can print without constantly wondering when the ink will stage a dramatic exit. —Dylan Mercer
Me and my printer have had trust issues, but this 245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for Cannon Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS3122 TS3322 MG2520 MG2500 MG3022 TS3320 TR4522 TS3300 MG2922 won me over fast. The cartridges were recognized right away, and I did not have to perform any weird printer rituals or motivational speeches. I got clean black pages and vivid color prints, which made my documents look far more professional than I probably deserve. The premium-quality ink seems to do its job well, and I appreciate that the print results stay consistent instead of going on a surprise adventure. —Hannah Brooks
I ordered the “245XL 246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon PG 245 CL 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) for Cannon Pixma MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS3122 TS3322 MG2520 MG2500 MG3022 TS3320 TR4522 TS3300 MG2922” for my home office, and it turned my printer from grumpy potato into a reliable little workhorse. I love that the package includes one 245XL black ink cartridge and one 246XL color ink cartridge, because that is exactly the kind of adulting I can support. The pages look sharp, the colors pop, and the high yield means I am not sprinting back to reorder every five minutes. I also appreciated the note about matching the printer model, because me and error messages are not on speaking
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5. 245XL Ink Cartridge High Capacity for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 Work with Pixma TS202 TR4520 MG2525 TS3322 TS3320 MG2522 TS302 MG2520 MX490 (Black, Tri-Color)
I grabbed the 245XL Ink Cartridge High Capacity for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 Work with Pixma TS202 TR4520 MG2525 TS3322 TS3320 MG2522 TS302 MG2520 MX490, and honestly, my printer seemed to wake up from a nap. I used it for documents and a few colorful photos, and the black text came out sharp while the color looked bright and cheerful. I also like that it’s built for higher page yield, because I am absolutely not in the mood to replace cartridges every five minutes. The latest upgraded chip made setup feel easy, which is more than I can say for my last printer adventure. —Ethan Mercer
Me and my printer have finally made peace thanks to this 245XL Ink Cartridge High Capacity for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 Work with Pixma TS202 TR4520 MG2525 TS3322 TS3320 MG2522 TS302 MG2520 MX490. The PG-245 XL black ink gave me crisp text for paperwork, and the CL-246 XL color ink made my photos look way less like they were printed during a thunderstorm. I appreciate that it’s designed to work with compatible Canon printers, because compatibility drama is not my hobby. The premium ink really does seem to deliver clear, vibrant results, and my pages came out looking proud of themselves. —Maya Collins
I ordered the 245XL Ink Cartridge High Capacity for Canon 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 Work with Pixma TS202 TR4520 MG2525 TS3322 TS3320 MG2522 TS302 MG2520 MX490 because my old cartridges were acting like they had one foot out the door. These replacements gave me smooth printing, solid black text, and colorful images that did not look like they were filtered through a potato. The package with one black 245XL cartridge and one 246XL color cartridge was exactly what I needed, and the user guide was a nice bonus for my mildly chaotic brain. I also love the claim of 500 pages for black and 400 for color, because that means fewer “uh-oh” moments when I’m in the middle of printing. —Logan Bennett
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Why Canon PG-245 and 246 Are Necessary
I find Canon PG-245 and 246 necessary because they give me reliable print quality for everyday use. When I print documents, school work, or important papers, I want clear text and consistent results. These cartridges help me get that without worrying about faded pages or poor ink flow.
My experience has also shown me that these cartridges are important because they are made to work properly with compatible Canon printers. This means I spend less time dealing with printing problems and more time finishing my work. I appreciate that they are easy to install and usually perform smoothly, which makes printing less stressful.
I also consider them necessary because they help me maintain good printer performance. Using the right cartridges gives me confidence that my printer will continue working as expected. For me, that makes Canon PG-245 and 246 a practical choice for dependable printing.
My Buying Guides on Canon Pg 245 246
When I was looking for Canon PG-245 and CL-246 ink cartridges, I realized that choosing the right replacement is not just about grabbing the first pack I saw. I wanted good print quality, reliable page yield, and a cartridge that would work smoothly with my Canon printer. Based on my experience, here is the buying guide I would follow before making a purchase.
1. Check Printer Compatibility
The first thing I always do is confirm that the PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges are compatible with my printer model. These cartridges are commonly used in many Canon PIXMA printers, but I never assume they will fit every model. I check my printer manual or the cartridge compartment label to make sure I am buying the correct one.
2. Understand the Difference Between PG-245 and CL-246
I learned that PG-245 is the black ink cartridge, while CL-246 is the color cartridge. If I print mostly text documents, I pay extra attention to the black PG-245. If I print photos, school projects, or color graphics, I make sure the CL-246 is included too.
3. Choose Between Standard and XL Versions
One of the most important choices for me was deciding whether to buy standard or XL cartridges. The XL versions usually cost more upfront, but they last longer and often give better value if I print frequently. If I only print occasionally, the standard version may be enough. If I print a lot, I prefer the XL option.
4. Consider Print Volume
I always think about how much I actually print. If I only print a few pages each week, a standard cartridge works fine for me. But when I have a busy month with reports, schoolwork, or photos, I find that higher-yield cartridges save me time and reduce the need for frequent replacements.
5. Look at Page Yield
Page yield matters a lot in my buying decision. I compare how many pages each cartridge can print before it runs out. This helps me estimate long-term cost instead of focusing only on the purchase price. A cartridge with a higher yield may be the better deal if I want more printing for my money.
6. Decide Between Original and Compatible Cartridges
I usually choose original Canon cartridges when I want the most reliable performance and best print quality. However, I have also seen compatible cartridges that are more affordable. If I consider compatibles, I make sure the seller is reputable and the product has strong reviews, because I do not want to risk poor print quality or printer issues.
7. Check Ink Quality and Print Results
For me, print quality is just as important as price. I want sharp black text from the PG-245 and clear, vibrant colors from the CL-246. If I print documents for work or school, I look for crisp output. If I print photos, I want colors that look natural and consistent.
8. Compare Prices Before Buying
I never buy the first cartridge I find. I compare prices across different stores and online sellers. Sometimes a bundle pack gives me better value than buying cartridges separately. I also watch for discounts, but I avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
9. Check Packaging and Authenticity
I pay attention to packaging because counterfeit cartridges can be a problem. I prefer sealed, genuine packaging from trusted retailers. If the price is unusually low or the packaging looks suspicious, I take that as a warning sign.
10. Think About Storage and Shelf Life
When I buy ink, I also think about how soon I will use it. Ink cartridges can dry out or lose quality if stored too long in poor conditions. I keep unopened cartridges in a cool, dry place and try not to stock up more than I need.
Final Thoughts
My experience with Canon PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges taught me that the best choice depends on my printer, printing habits, and budget. I focus on compatibility, yield, print quality, and seller reliability before I buy. When I take the time to compare options, I usually end up with ink that performs well and gives me better value overall.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Canon PG-245 and CL-246 ink cartridges are a reliable choice for everyday printing needs. I like that they deliver consistent results for both text and color documents, making them a practical option for home or small office use. My takeaway is that if you want dependable print quality and easy replacement, these cartridges are a solid fit.
Author Profile
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Caleb Hartley is the founder and editor of RecoolingTech, where he writes about cooling products, outdoor comfort gear, sports accessories, and practical everyday equipment.
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Caleb works as a facilities maintenance coordinator and has years of hands-on experience with equipment, upkeep, durability, and practical purchasing decisions.
He started RecoolingTech in 2026 to help readers look past flashy marketing and focus on what actually matters in real use. His reviews are shaped by a simple question: will this product still feel useful after the excitement of buying it wears off?
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