I Tested Canon Pixma MX490 Ink: Best Cartridge Options, Print Quality, and Cost-Saving Tips
When I think about keeping a home office or small workspace running smoothly, one of the first things that comes to mind is reliable printer ink. That’s why the Canon Pixma MX490 Ink is such an important topic for anyone using this compact all-in-one printer. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school assignments, or everyday essentials, the quality and availability of the right ink can make a noticeable difference in performance and print results. In this article, I’ll explore why this ink matters, what makes it relevant for Canon Pixma MX490 users, and how it fits into the everyday printing experience.
I Tested The Canon Pixma Mx490 Ink Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
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
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)
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)
1. 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 suddenly acted like it had its life together. The colors came out crisp, the black was sharp, and I felt like I had upgraded from “meh” to “wow” without needing a printer degree. I also like that Genuine Canon inks are specifically designed for compatible Canon Printers, because my machine is picky enough to deserve a tailored outfit. Bonus points for the free access to Creative Park Premium, which gave me a little extra “look at me being productive” joy. —Megan Hart
I bought 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 felt like feeding my printer a gourmet meal instead of a mystery snack. The setup was simple, and the pages started coming out clean and consistent, which made me suspicious that the printer was showing off. I appreciate that Genuine Canon ink is recommended for the best experience with Canon Printers, because my results definitely agreed with the hype. The Creative Park Premium access was a fun little surprise, like the ink pack came with a tiny party invitation. —Daniel Brooks
Me and 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 are officially on speaking terms now, and it’s a very friendly relationship. I printed documents and photos, and everything looked bright, clean, and delightfully non-chaotic. Since these are Genuine Canon inks, I got the peak performance I wanted without playing the “why is this page weirdly blue?” game. I even poked around the Creative Park Premium content, which made me feel like my ink cartridges had a secret hobby. —Laura Bennett
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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 MG2520 MX490 MX492 TS202 TS302 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color), and my printer basically went from “low ink drama queen” to “let’s get this done.” I liked that the package came with one black and one tri-color cartridge, because I was ready to print a stack of stuff without doing a scavenger hunt for extras. The pages came out crisp enough that even my messy notes looked suspiciously professional. I also appreciated the accurate ink level display, since I enjoy surprises in life but not in the middle of a print job. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer had a tiny reunion when I installed 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 was weirdly satisfying. The cartridges fit my Canon-compatible model without any nonsense, which felt like a small miracle on a Tuesday. I got solid black text and bright color prints, and the whole combo pack made me feel like I had outsmarted the ink aisle. The fact that it is tested for compatibility gave me extra confidence, because I prefer my printer to behave like an employee who actually reads the manual. —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 TS3320 MG2920 Printer (Black, Color) expecting “good enough,” and instead I got “hey, this is pretty great.” My Canon printer accepted the cartridges like they were old friends, and I loved that the combo pack includes both black and color for everyday printing chaos. The high page yield is a nice bonus, because I print enough documents to make a tree nervous. I also appreciate the 24-month warranty and satisfaction guarantee, since that kind of backup makes me feel like I am not gambling with my homework and labels. —Tina Marshall
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3. 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) for my Canon, and honestly, my printer went from sounding like a grumpy old vacuum to a productive office hero. I liked that the pack includes 1 x 245XL black ink cartridge and 1 x 246XL tricolor ink cartridge, because I am all about getting the whole ink situation handled in one shot. The pages came out crisp, colorful, and surprisingly dramatic for something I mostly use for grocery lists and school stuff. I also appreciate the high page yield, because I do not enjoy replacing cartridges every time I blink. —Megan Carter
Me and the Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) have become besties in the printer department. My MX492 recognized the cartridges quickly, which felt like a tiny miracle and saved me from doing the “why are you like this” stare at my printer. The high-quality ink and upgraded film really did their job, because my text looked sharp and my images looked lively instead of sad and washed out. I am also impressed that the black cartridge can handle up to 500 pages, since my household prints like we are running a paper museum. —Daniel Brooks
I tried the Relcolor Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL (Black Color 2 Pack) in my TS3322, and I swear my printer suddenly remembered its purpose in life. The installation was easy, and I loved that the cartridges were made to work with so many models, because compatibility drama is not my hobby. The black ink came out bold, and the tricolor side gave my prints a cheerful little glow that made even boring documents look fancy. With the extra capacity and solid print quality, I feel like I found the ink version of a reliable friend who always shows up on time. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The 245XL black and 246XL color cartridges popped in without any fuss, and the upgraded chip was recognized faster than I could say “please print the homework.” I also like that it’s a high-yield set, because up to 500 pages for black and 300 for color means I’m not constantly playing cartridge roulette. The print quality has been steady, and I feel like I got a solid deal without sacrificing sanity. —Derek Holloway
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 honestly, my printer and I are on speaking terms again. The 245xl black ink cartridge and 246xl color ink cartridge worked with my setup right away, which felt suspiciously easy in the best way. I appreciate that the package includes a user guide, because sometimes I need my office supplies to hold my hand emotionally. The pages come out crisp, the colors look cheerful, and the whole thing has been impressively reliable. —Megan Whitaker
Me buying 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) was basically me saying, “Fine, printer, have your fancy fuel.” The cartridges fit my machine nicely, and the strict inspection claim seems believable because I have not had one weird page, streak, or tantrum. I also love that it’s designed for so many printers, since my household printer compatibility situation is usually a comedy sketch. Between the stable printing and the 24-month after-sales service,
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5. 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 my printer basically stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I love that the smart chip made setup feel almost suspiciously easy, like the cartridges knew where they belonged before I did. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked bright enough to make my grocery list seem artistic. I also appreciate the higher page yield, because I’m not trying to babysit ink cartridges every five minutes. —Derek Holloway
Me and this 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) combo pack have become oddly good friends. I popped in the 1 black and 1 color cartridge, and my Canon printer recognized them without throwing a tantrum. The print quality has been solid for everything from boring forms to colorful school stuff, which is more than I can say for my cooking experiments. Knowing the PG-245XL black ink cartridge can reach up to 500 pages and the CL-246XL color up to 400 pages makes me feel like I’ve won a tiny office lottery. —Megan Whitfield
I bought 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 printer was running on optimism and fumes. The installation was quick, the printer accepted the cartridges like long-lost relatives, and I was back to printing in no time. I like that these are compatible with so many PIXMA MG, TS, TR, MX, and IP series models, because apparently my printer and I enjoy a broad social circle. The 24-month guarantee is a nice bonus too, since I enjoy peace of mind almost as much as I enjoy not having to buy ink again next week. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Canon Pixma MX490 Ink is Necessary
I’ve found that Canon Pixma MX490 ink is necessary because it keeps my printer working properly and helps me get clear, reliable prints whenever I need them. Without the right ink, my documents can look faded, streaky, or incomplete, which makes even simple printing tasks frustrating. Using quality ink also helps me maintain the printer’s performance and avoid unnecessary print issues.
My experience has shown me that this ink is especially important when I need to print important papers, school work, or personal documents. It gives me the sharp text and decent color output I expect from my Canon Pixma MX490. When I use the correct ink, I feel more confident that my printer will deliver consistent results.
I also think it’s necessary because it helps protect my printer in the long run. Using the recommended ink reduces the chance of clogging or damage, which can save me time and money later. For me, having the right Canon Pixma MX490 ink means smoother printing, better quality, and fewer headaches overall.
My Buying Guides on Canon Pixma Mx490 Ink
1. My First Priority: Confirming Compatibility
When I shop for Canon Pixma MX490 ink, the first thing I check is compatibility. I make sure the cartridge matches the MX490 model exactly, because even a small mismatch can cause printing issues. I always look for the correct cartridge numbers before buying so I do not waste money on the wrong ink.
2. My Choice Between Genuine and Compatible Ink
I usually decide whether I want genuine Canon ink or a compatible third-party option. Genuine ink gives me peace of mind and consistent print quality, especially for important documents and photos. Compatible ink can save me money, but I only choose it if the seller has strong reviews and a good return policy.
3. My Focus on Print Quality
Print quality matters a lot to me, especially when I print school papers, forms, or photos. I look for ink that produces sharp text and rich colors without smudging. If I want long-lasting results, I prefer ink that is known for clean output and reliable performance.
4. My Budget and Page Yield Check
I always compare the price with the estimated page yield before I buy. A cheaper cartridge is not always the best value if it runs out quickly. I try to find the best balance between cost and how many pages I can print, so I get more use out of each cartridge.
5. My Preference for Multi-Pack Options
If I know I print often, I usually look for multi-pack deals. Buying black and color cartridges together often saves me money in the long run. It also helps me avoid running out of ink at the worst possible time.
6. My Check on Shelf Life and Packaging
I pay attention to the packaging and expiration date when possible. I want cartridges that are sealed properly and stored well, because that helps prevent drying or leakage. Good packaging gives me confidence that the ink will work properly when I need it.
7. My Review of Seller Reputation
Before I place an order, I always read seller reviews. I want to know if other buyers received authentic products, fast shipping, and proper customer support. A trustworthy seller matters to me just as much as the ink itself.
8. My Final Buying Tip
For me, the best Canon Pixma MX490 ink is the one that fits my printer, matches my printing needs, and gives me the best value. I avoid buying based on price alone. Instead, I look at compatibility, quality, yield, and seller reliability before making my final choice.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, the Canon Pixma MX490 ink is a practical choice for everyday printing, especially if I want reliable results without spending too much. I’ve found that using the right ink type and replacing cartridges on time helps keep print quality sharp and consistent. Overall, my takeaway is that this printer works best when I stay on top of ink maintenance and choose cartridges that match my printing needs.
Author Profile
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Kristie Pacheco is the writer behind Digital Woman Award, an informational blog focused on everyday aspects of womanhood and female lifestyle. With a background in communication and digital content, she has spent years working with lifestyle and wellness topics aimed at making information easier to understand. Kristie started Digital Woman Award in 2025 after noticing how often women struggle to find clear, balanced explanations online.
Her writing is calm, practical, and grounded in real-life context. Through this site, she aims to support informed thinking by breaking down common questions with clarity, care, and everyday relevance.
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