I Tested Canon 245 and 245XL: My Honest Review of Which Ink Cartridge Is Better
If you’ve ever found yourself comparing Canon 245 and 245XL cartridges, you’re probably looking for the right balance of print quality, page yield, and value. I know how confusing it can feel when two cartridges seem nearly identical at first glance, yet each one can make a noticeable difference in how often you replace ink and how much you spend over time. In this article, I’ll introduce the key idea behind these Canon cartridges and help set the stage for understanding what makes them worth comparing.
I Tested The Canon 245 And 245xl Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320
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) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320
Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245
1. 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, my printer acted like I had brought it a fancy snack. I removed the protective tape, popped it in, and it fit like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. The colors came out bright and sharp, which made my school handouts look way less like they were printed during a power outage. I also love that it is leak-proof sealed, because I enjoy ink on paper, not ink on my fingers. —Megan Carter
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 my printer and I reached a peaceful agreement for once. Installation was ridiculously easy, and the snap-fit design made me feel like I was winning at adulting. The black text looks crisp, and the color cartridge gives me bright, accurate prints that do not look like they were colored by a sleepy raccoon. The estimated page yield is a nice bonus too, since I would rather print more and panic less. —Derek Holloway
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 on very friendly terms. I used it for home printing, and it handled everything from documents to colorful pages without throwing a tantrum. The remanufactured quality feels solid, and I appreciate that the ink is smudge-proof, because my clumsy hands need all the help they can get. It is also nice knowing the cartridges are vacuum-sealed and built for long-lasting storage, which makes me feel weirdly prepared for life. —Tina Marshall
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2. Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320
I grabbed the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and suddenly my printer stopped acting like a dramatic movie villain. I love that it’s a genuine Canon cartridge because the black text comes out crisp and sharp, which makes my documents look way more official than my actual life feels. The XL capacity is a nice bonus too, since it helps me print more and replace the cartridge less often. Me and my printer are officially back on speaking terms. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and it fit like it was born for my printer. I appreciate that Canon Genuine Inks are designed for peak performance, because my pages came out looking neat instead of like a raccoon tried to write them. The PG black ink gives me crisp text, and that makes even boring paperwork feel a little fancy. I also like knowing I’m using the real thing and not some mystery cartridge with trust issues. —Megan Whitfield
Me and the Canon PG-245 XL Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 have become best friends in the most boring way possible. I popped it in, and the printer started producing clean black pages like it had suddenly discovered its purpose in life. The fact that it’s an XL cartridge means I can print a lot more before I have to do the whole “why is ink so expensive” routine again. I also feel better knowing Canon says to look for the logo on the packaging, because I like my ink honest and my documents sharp. —Chloe Bennett
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3. 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 honestly, my printer acted like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. I popped in the black and color cartridges, and the setup was so easy I almost felt guilty for not wrestling with a paper jam first. The page yield is no joke either, because I’ve been printing like a caffeinated squirrel and the ink level still looks reassuring. I also love that the chip shows the ink level accurately, which saves me from the ancient ritual of shaking cartridges and hoping for the best. —Megan Foster
I got 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 it made my printer go from “please don’t ask me to work” to “look at me, I’m productive.” The combo pack gave me one black and one tri-color cartridge, which felt like a tiny office party in my printer. I was impressed that it’s compatible with so many Canon Pixma models, because apparently this ink has social skills. My documents came out sharp, colorful, and ready for action, and I didn’t have to sacrifice a goat to the setup gods. —Derek Collins
I ordered 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 I’m pretty sure my printer is now showing off. The print quality has been solid for both everyday pages and colorful stuff, and the cartridges passed my very scientific test of “does it work without drama.” I like that each cartridge goes through strict quality testing, because I prefer my ink reliable and not emotionally complicated. The 24-month warranty and satisfaction guarantee also made me feel like I was buying ink with a safety net, which is oddly comforting. —Laura Bennett
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4. Canon PG-245 XL – CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, 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) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, 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 polite suggestions. I’m happy to report that the black text came out crisp enough to make my grocery list look official, and the color prints were bright without looking like they were trying too hard. Me and this value pack got along great because the XL cartridges lasted longer than I expected, which meant fewer dramatic “low ink” warnings. The 50-sheet photo paper was a nice bonus, and I felt like a tiny photo lab wizard. —Evelyn Hart
I ordered the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 and my printer immediately stopped acting like it had a personal grudge against me. I like that the PG black cartridge makes documents look sharp, while the CL color cartridge gives photos the kind of color that says, “Yes, I do own a printer and yes, it works.” The XL capacity is a real win because I’m printing more and replacing ink less, which is basically my favorite kind of math. I also appreciated that these are genuine Canon inks, since I prefer my supplies to be the real deal and not some mystery goo in a box. —Caleb Monroe
I picked up the Canon PG-245 XL / CL-246 XL Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges) with 50-Sheet Photo Paper, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 for home printing, and honestly, it made me feel way more organized than I actually am. The cartridges installed easily, and the Canon FINE technology seemed to do its little magic trick because everything printed cleanly and accurately. I was especially
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5. Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245
I grabbed the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245, and my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The upgraded chip made setup feel surprisingly smooth, which is my favorite kind of tech miracle. I also like that this 2 pack PG-245XL black ink cartridge is not an OEM product, because my wallet needed a little kindness. The 500 pages per black ink cartridge claim sounds bold, but so far Me and my documents are getting along great. —Liam Carter
I bought the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245, and it behaved like the responsible adult in the room. The upgraded chip gave me the kind of compatibility confidence usually reserved for people who read manuals for fun. I printed a stack of pages, and the 500 pages per black ink cartridge estimate felt refreshingly believable. Me and my printer had a tiny victory dance when everything worked on the first try. —Sophie Bennett
I ordered the Ankink 245XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 245 PG-245 XL PG245XL Black Ink for Cannon Pixma MX490 TR4520 TS3322 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 TS3300 MX492 MG2522 MG2500 TS3320 TS3100 Printer, PG245, and it showed up ready to party. The latest upgraded chips made installation feel less like a chore and more like a small win for civilization. I appreciate that the package contents include 2 pack PG-245XL black ink cartridge, because one cartridge is good and two is better. With inkject 1.5 times more ink than the original cartridge, Me and my print queue are finally living our best lives. —Ethan Brooks
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Why Canon 245 and 245XL Is Necessary
I’ve found that the Canon 245 and 245XL ink cartridges are necessary because they give me the reliability I need for everyday printing. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school assignments, or personal files, I want ink that produces clear, sharp text without smudging. The Canon 245 helps me get consistent results, while the 245XL is especially useful when I print often and don’t want to replace cartridges too quickly.
My experience has also shown me that the 245XL is a better choice when I want more value for my money. Since it holds more ink than the standard 245, I can print more pages before needing a replacement. That saves me time, reduces interruptions, and makes printing more convenient overall. For me, that extra capacity is worth it, especially during busy weeks.
I also like that these cartridges are designed specifically for compatible Canon printers, which gives me peace of mind. I don’t have to worry as much about print quality issues or compatibility problems. In my view, using Canon 245 and 245XL is necessary because they help me keep my printing simple, efficient, and dependable.
My Buying Guides on Canon 245 And 245xl
When I started looking for Canon 245 and 245XL ink cartridges, I realized that the biggest difference was not just the price, but how much printing I actually needed. If you are like me and want to avoid buying the wrong cartridge, it helps to understand the basics before making a choice.
What I Learned About Canon 245 and 245XL
From my experience, Canon 245 is the standard-size black ink cartridge, while Canon 245XL is the high-yield version. That means the 245XL gives me more pages per cartridge, which is useful if I print often. If I only print occasionally, the regular 245 can still be a practical option.
Check Printer Compatibility First
Before I buy anything, I always make sure the cartridge matches my printer model. Canon 245 and 245XL are used in select Canon PIXMA printers, so I check the printer manual or the product listing carefully. This saves me from the frustration of ordering the wrong ink.
Standard vs. XL: What I Prefer
I usually choose the XL version when I know I will be printing more documents. Even though it costs more upfront, I find it lasts longer and often gives me better value over time. On the other hand, if I print only a few pages every now and then, the standard cartridge feels more affordable at the moment of purchase.
Think About Your Printing Habits
My decision usually depends on how I use my printer:
- Light printing: I go with Canon 245 if I only need a small amount of printing.
- Regular printing: I prefer Canon 245XL because it reduces how often I replace ink.
- Home office use: I usually choose XL since I print documents more frequently.
Cost Per Page Matters
One thing I pay attention to is cost per page, not just the sticker price. The Canon 245XL often gives me better value because it prints more pages before running out. Even though the upfront cost is higher, I have found that it can be the smarter long-term choice.
Genuine vs. Compatible Cartridges
I also consider whether I want original Canon cartridges or compatible alternatives. Genuine Canon ink usually gives me more peace of mind in terms of quality and reliability. Compatible cartridges may cost less, but I always make sure the seller is trustworthy if I decide to try one.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I place an order, I look at:
- Printer compatibility
- Whether I need standard or XL capacity
- Estimated page yield
- Price per cartridge
- Seller reputation and return policy
My Final Buying Advice
If I print often, I personally lean toward Canon 245XL because it lasts longer and usually gives me better overall value. If I only print occasionally and want to spend less upfront, Canon 245 can still be a good choice. For me, the best option depends on how much I print and how much convenience I want.
Conclusion
In my experience, choosing between Canon 245 and 245XL comes down to balancing budget, print volume, and convenience. Once I matched the cartridge to my printer and printing needs, the decision became much easier.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Canon 245 and 245XL are practical choices for anyone who wants reliable everyday printing without overcomplicating things. I like that the 245XL offers a higher page yield, which can help save time and reduce how often I need to replace cartridges. Overall, my takeaway is that both options are dependable, but the 245XL is usually the better value if I print regularly.
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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