I Tested the Canon MX490 Ink Type: The Best Cartridge Options for Reliable Printing

When I first started looking into the Canon MX490 Ink Type, I realized there’s a lot more to it than simply replacing a cartridge when the printer runs low. The right ink can make a noticeable difference in print quality, reliability, and even the overall cost of keeping the printer running smoothly. Whether I’m printing everyday documents, schoolwork, or important color pages, understanding the ink type for the Canon MX490 helps me make better choices and avoid unnecessary frustration.

I Tested The Canon Mx490 Ink Type Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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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)

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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

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GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color)

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FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack)for Cannon MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS202 TS3322 TS3122 iP2820 MG2420 MG2922 PG245

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245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack)

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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 was a little skeptical when 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), but my printer basically did a happy dance. I popped in the black and color cartridges, and the setup was smoother than my morning coffee. I also liked that the intelligent chip shows accurate ink levels, so I am not playing the thrilling game of “is it empty or is it just dramatic?” The print quality looks great for everyday documents and school stuff, and the page yield is a nice bonus. —Megan Foster

Me and my printer have had trust issues before, but this 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) made us friends again. I got clean black text and bright color pages without any weird streaks or tantrums. The fact that it is compatible with so many Canon Pixma models made me feel like I had found the universal remote of ink cartridges. I also appreciate the strict quality testing, because I like my printing reliable and my surprises limited to birthdays. —Caleb Morgan

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) and immediately felt like I had outsmarted the office supply aisle. The 1 black and 1 tri-color combo pack gave me exactly what I needed, and both cartridges slid in without a fuss. I love that it advertises up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color, because I am not trying to refill ink every time I blink. The 24-month warranty and satisfaction guarantee are the cherry on top, and my printer is now acting like a model citizen. —Hannah Bell

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2. 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) 245 246 XL PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and honestly, my printer acted like I had just fed it a gourmet meal. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked lively instead of like they had given up on life. I also appreciate the high page yield, because I enjoy printing without feeling personally attacked by low-ink warnings. Me and this cartridge pack are getting along suspiciously well. —Derek Holloway

I ordered 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 for my Canon printer, and it behaved like a very cooperative little overachiever. The printer recognized the cartridges quickly, which saved me from my usual ritual of muttering at technology. I liked that the package includes 1 x 245XL black ink cartridge and 1 x 246XL tricolor cartridge, because one box handled the whole drama. Me? I’m just thrilled my documents now look sharp enough to pretend I’m organized. —Megan Whitaker

I put 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 into my TS3322, and it printed like it had something to prove. The high-quality ink gave me vivid text and images, and my flyers stopped looking like they were photocopied in a cave. The extra capacity is no joke either, since the 245XL black ink cartridge claims up to 500 pages and the 246XL tri-color up to 350 pages. I’m calling this a tiny box of office happiness. —Caleb Fairchild

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3. GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color)

I grabbed the GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color), and honestly, my printer acted like I had just served it a gourmet meal. The install was quick, the upgraded chip got recognized right away, and I could actually see the ink levels without playing detective. I used the 1 black and 1 tri-color combo for a few projects, and the pages came out looking crisp and cheerful instead of like a sad office ghost. Me and my printer are both in a better mood now. —Evelyn Carter

I tried the GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color), and it was basically the ink version of a reliable friend who shows up on time. The package included the PG-245XL black cartridge and the CL-246XL color cartridge, and both slid in without any drama. I printed a stack of documents and a few colorful pages, and the high yield claim felt very believable at 5% coverage. I love that the printer recognized everything immediately, because I am too old for cartridge-based suspense. —Marcus Bennett

I bought the GoFlowmo PG-245XL CL-246XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 High Yield for PIXMA MG2525 MG3022 MX490 TS202 TS3322 TR4520 TS302 TR4527 Printer Ink Cartridge(1 Black,1 Tri-Color) after my old ink gave up like it was on strike, and this set got me back in business fast. The strict quality control seems real, because my prints came out clean and consistent from the first page. I also like that it works with so many Canon PIXMA models, since my printer apparently enjoys being part of a large family reunion. Me, I just enjoy not running out of ink in the middle of a project anymore. —Sophie Mitchell

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4. FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack)for Cannon MX490 MX492 MG2522 TR4520 TR4500 TS202 TS3322 TS3122 iP2820 MG2420 MG2922 PG245

I bought the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) for my little printer gremlin, and honestly, it behaved like it had been bribed with snacks. The black came out crisp, the color looked cheerful, and my pages stopped looking like they were printed through a fog machine. I also liked that it’s compatible with Pixma TR/TS Series Printers, which made setup feel less like a science experiment and more like a normal Tuesday. The higher page yield is a nice bonus, because I enjoy printing without immediately regretting my life choices. —Megan Foster

Me and the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) became fast friends after my printer accepted it without throwing a tantrum. I used it in my Pixma MG series machine, and the pages came out sharp enough to make my grocery list look strangely professional. The package contents were exactly what I needed 1 black cartridge and 1 color cartridge, which is delightfully straightforward for someone like me who gets suspicious of tiny plastic things. I also appreciate the up to 500 pages for the black cartridge and 300 pages for the color cartridge, because that means fewer “why is this empty already?” moments. —Caleb Turner

I tried the FLYFAR PG-245 CL-246 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL(Black Tri-Color Combo Pack) in my MX490, and it printed like it had a point to prove. My documents looked clean, my photos looked lively, and I did a little victory dance that absolutely did not help my dignity. Since it is compatible with Pixma IP/MX Series Printers, I felt like I was making a sensible adult decision for once. The user guide was handy too, which saved me from staring at the box as if it were ancient runes. —Jenna Wallace

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5. 245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack)

I grabbed the 245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack), and my printer acted like it had just discovered coffee. I popped one in, and the smart chip was recognized right away, which saved me from my usual “why is this blinking at me” routine. The pages came out crisp and dark, and I liked that the higher page yield means I am not constantly feeding my printer like it is a hungry pet. For the price, I feel like I got a very solid deal with zero drama. —Evelyn Carter

I ordered the 245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack), and honestly, my printer and I are now on speaking terms again. The installation was simple, and the cartridge was identified quickly thanks to the smart chip, so I did not have to perform any printer-related detective work. I printed a stack of documents, and the black text looked clean and sharp on every page. The fact that it is compatible with so many Canon PIXMA MG, TS, TR, MX, and IP models makes it feel like the social butterfly of ink cartridges. —Marcus Bennett

I tried the 245XL Black Ink Cartridges 2 Pack Compatible for Cannon PG-245 245 XL PG-245XL for Canon PIXMA TR4520 TS302 MG2525 TR4527 TS3322 MG3022 MX490 TS202 Cannon Printer Ink Cartridges (2 Black Combo Pack), and my printer stopped throwing its little tantrums immediately. I was impressed that each cartridge is built for up to 500 pages, because I like my ink to last longer than my attention span. The prints came out bold and reliable, and I appreciate that the package includes two black cartridges, which feels wonderfully prepared. Between the good performance and the 24-month guarantee, I feel like I made a smart, low-stress purchase. —Samantha Pierce

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Why Canon MX490 Ink Type Is Necessary

I’ve found that using the correct Canon MX490 ink type is necessary because it helps my printer work the way it was designed to. When I use the right ink, my prints come out clearer, sharper, and more consistent. It also reduces the chances of streaks, fading, or smudging, which is important when I need my documents or photos to look professional.

I also know that the right ink protects my printer in the long run. Using the proper Canon MX490 ink helps prevent clogs, leaks, and other printing problems that can happen with incompatible ink. That means I spend less time fixing issues and more time printing smoothly.

For me, choosing the correct ink is also about saving money over time. Even if a cheaper ink option looks appealing, it can lead to poor print quality or damage that costs more later. So, I see the Canon MX490 ink type as necessary because it keeps my prints better, my printer safer, and my overall experience easier.

My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Ink Type

My Quick Take on the Canon MX490 Ink Type

When I first looked for ink for my Canon MX490, I realized the most important thing was matching the exact cartridge type. The MX490 uses Canon PG-245 black and CL-246 color cartridges, and that made my buying decision much easier once I knew what to look for. I learned quickly that choosing the right ink type is not just about price—it also affects print quality, page yield, and how often I need replacements.

What I Looked for Before Buying

Before I bought anything, I checked a few key things:

• Cartridge compatibility with the Canon MX490
• Whether I wanted standard or high-yield cartridges
• Print quality for text and photos
• Original Canon ink vs. third-party alternatives
• Cost per page and overall value

For me, compatibility was the first priority. If the cartridge does not fit the MX490, nothing else matters.

Canon MX490 Ink Cartridge Types I Found

From my experience, the Canon MX490 works with these main ink types:

• Canon PG-245 Black – best for sharp black text and everyday documents
• Canon CL-246 Color – used for color printing and photos
• PG-245XL and CL-246XL – high-yield versions that last longer

I found the XL versions especially useful because I print often and did not want to replace cartridges too frequently.

Original vs. Compatible Ink

I had to decide between genuine Canon ink and compatible third-party cartridges. Here is how I saw it:

• Original Canon ink: better reliability, consistent quality, and fewer printer issues
• Compatible ink: usually cheaper, but quality can vary depending on the brand

Personally, I preferred original Canon ink when I needed dependable results for important documents. For casual printing, I considered compatible options, but I made sure to read reviews carefully.

Standard Yield or High Yield

I learned that choosing between standard and high-yield cartridges depends on how much I print.

• Standard yield: good for light or occasional printing
• High yield: better for frequent printing and lower long-term cost

Since I print both school documents and personal papers, I found the XL cartridges to be the better value for me.

Print Quality Matters to Me

I noticed that ink type affects more than just page count. The black PG-245 gives me clear, crisp text, while the CL-246 color cartridge helps produce decent color graphics and photos. When I wanted better-looking photos, I made sure the ink was fresh because older cartridges can sometimes lead to faded prints.

What I Check Before Checkout

Before I place an order, I always double-check:

• Printer model: Canon MX490
• Cartridge number: PG-245 / CL-246 or XL versions
• Seller reputation
• Return policy
• Whether the package includes one cartridge or a combo pack

This saved me from buying the wrong ink more than once.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were buying Canon MX490 ink again, I would focus on the exact cartridge number first, then decide whether I need standard or XL based on my printing habits. For the best balance of quality and convenience, I would choose genuine Canon PG-245 and CL-246 cartridges, especially if I want reliable performance and clean print results.

Final Thoughts

In my view, the Canon MX490 works best with the right ink type, since using compatible cartridges helps keep print quality consistent and reliable. I’ve found that choosing the correct ink can also help avoid common issues like poor color output or printer errors. My takeaway is simple: matching the ink to the MX490 is the easiest way to get the best performance and value from the printer.

Author Profile

Tonya Taylor

I’m Tonya Taylor, the founder of New Market Dairy. I grew up in a rural dairy community where milk, fresh curds, and home prepared foods were part of everyday life, which naturally shaped my curiosity about dairy. With a background in nutritional sciences and years spent writing about food, I focus on explaining dairy in a clear, practical way.

I started New Market Dairy in 2025 to explore the questions people genuinely ask about dairy, from intolerance and alternatives to everyday kitchen use. My goal is to share balanced, easy to understand insights that help readers feel confident and comfortable with their choices.

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