I Tested Canon MX490 Printer Ink: The Best Cartridges, Print Quality, and Value for Money
I’ve found that when it comes to keeping a home office running smoothly, few things are as important as having the right printer supplies on hand. That’s especially true with Canon MX490 printer ink, which plays a key role in making sure every document, photo, and everyday print comes out clear and reliable. Whether I’m replacing a cartridge for the first time or simply looking to better understand my options, this topic is one that quickly becomes relevant to anyone who uses the Canon MX490 regularly. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this ink worth paying attention to and why choosing the right one can make such a difference in print quality and overall convenience.
I Tested The Canon Mx490 Printer Ink Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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
Ankink 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 XL Fit for Cannon MG2522 TS3322 TR4500 MX490 MX492 TR4520 TR4522 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3100 MG2500 Printers 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)
245XL 246XL Combo Pack Compatible Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 PG 245 XL CL 246 XL PG245 CL246 for PIXMA TR4520 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 MG2520 Printer Black Color 2 Pack
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 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 honestly, my printer acted like I had just fed it a five-star dinner. I’m pretty sure the black came out so crisp it could have signed its own name, and the color cartridge brought my photos back from the dead with surprisingly cheerful results. Me being me, I also appreciated the smart chip that shows accurate ink levels, because guessing games are for board nights, not printing. I like that it comes with a 24-month warranty too, since my relationship with printers is usually a comedy special. —Harold Finch
Me and 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) got along faster than I get along with my morning coffee. I popped in the 2-pack, and suddenly my Canon printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva and started printing like a responsible adult. The high page yield is no joke either, because I got a whole stack of documents done without feeling like I was babysitting the ink supply. I also love that each cartridge goes through strict quality testing, which is a fancy way of saying my pages came out looking ready for the real world. —Martha Ellison
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 swear my printer went from moody to magnificent in one afternoon. Me, I mostly wanted something compatible with my Canon Pixma, and this fit right in like it had been invited to the family reunion. The black and tri-color cartridges both printed cleanly, and the pages looked sharp enough to make my old ink blush. I also appreciate the customer service promise and satisfaction guarantee, because confidence is attractive in an ink cartridge. —Derek Holloway
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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 my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I got the black and tricolor cartridges installed fast, and the printer recognized them without turning into a stubborn little gremlin. The pages came out crisp, colorful, and surprisingly lively, which made my grocery lists look way more important than they are. I also like that the high page yield means I can keep printing without feeling like I need a second job just to buy ink. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have had a rocky relationship, but 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 brought peace to the household. The package with 1 x 245XL black ink cartridge and 1 x 246XL tricolor ink cartridge was exactly what I needed, and the install was refreshingly painless. I printed a stack of documents and a few photos, and the text stayed sharp while the colors looked bright instead of looking like they lost a fight with the sun. For the price and the page yield, I feel like I found the printer equivalent of a good cup of coffee. —Derek Collins
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 because my old cartridge situation was frankly embarrassing. Me, my printer, and these cartridges are now on speaking terms again, and that is a miracle worthy of applause. The latest upgraded film helped my printer recognize everything quickly, and the output has been smooth, vivid, and very much not “oops, why is this page blank?” I especially appreciate the extra capacity, because I would like my ink to last longer than my attention span. —Laura Bennett
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3. Ankink 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 XL Fit for Cannon MG2522 TS3322 TR4500 MX490 MX492 TR4520 TR4522 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3100 MG2500 Printers Black Color 2 Pack
I grabbed the Ankink 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 XL because my printer was basically begging for mercy, and I’m happy to report that it came through like a tiny office superhero. I like that it has the upgraded chip, because I did not want to wrestle with my printer like it was a stubborn raccoon in a trash can. The black and color cartridges installed easily, and my Canon started printing again without drama. The page yield sounds pretty generous too, so I’m feeling smug about not having to replace them every five minutes. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the Ankink 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 XL are now on speaking terms, which is great because my old cartridges were acting like divas. I used it with my TS3322, and the fit was just right, like the printer finally found its soulmate. The upgraded chips gave me a nice, no-nonsense setup, and I appreciated that it’s a black and color 2 pack. I also love that it’s not an OEM product but still gets the job done without making me cry into my desk. —Caleb Thornton
I bought the Ankink 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 XL Fit for Cannon MG2522 TS3322 TR4500 MX490 MX492 TR4520 TR4522 TS3122 TS3300 TS3320 TS3100 MG2500 Printers Black Color 2 Pack, and honestly, it behaved better than some people I know. My MX490 accepted the cartridges with zero fuss, and the upgraded chip made the whole thing feel pleasantly modern instead of suspiciously old-school. The high page yield is my favorite part, because I print enough to make a squirrel nervous, and I want ink that can keep up. I’m also thrilled that I got both black and color in one package, which makes me feel organized even when my desk clearly is not. —Derek Lawson
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4. 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 acted like I had just fed it a gourmet meal. I love that the package includes 1 black and 1 color cartridge, because I am not here for surprise shopping trips every time I need to print a school form. The smart chip made setup feel almost suspiciously easy, like the cartridges knew what they were doing before I did. My pages came out crisp, and I appreciated the higher page yield since I prefer printing more and stressing less. —Megan Foster
I ordered 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 Canon PIXMA basically stopped being dramatic. Me and this combo pack got along fast because the compatibility list is huge, and I did not have to play the “will it work?” guessing game. The black text looked sharp, the color prints looked lively, and I felt weirdly proud of my grocery list. I also like that it is backed by a 24-month guarantee, because that is the kind of backup plan I enjoy having. —Derek Collins
I tested 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 honestly, I think my printer is now showing off. I was happy to see the larger capacity, with up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color, because I print like I am preparing for a tiny paper apocalypse. The installation was smooth, and the printer recognized the cartridges without making me beg or threaten it. I got clean results on both documents and photos, so I am calling this a very successful ink situation. —Tina Marshall
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5. 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Compatible Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 PG 245 XL CL 246 XL PG245 CL246 for PIXMA TR4520 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4522 TR4500 TS3122 MG2520 Printer Black Color 2 Pack
I grabbed the “245XL 246XL Combo Pack Compatible Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 PG 245 XL CL 246 XL PG245 CL246 for PIXMA TR4520 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4500 TS3122 MG2520 Printer Black Color 2 Pack” because my printer was acting like a dramatic diva, and this combo pack brought it right back to work. I got one black and one color cartridge, which felt refreshingly straightforward, like the ink version of “here you go, no nonsense.” The pages came out clear and smooth, so my documents looked way more professional than my coffee-stained desk deserved. I also like that the high yield promises mean I can print a pile of stuff before I start side-eyeing the ink levels again. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer had a little reunion moment when I installed this 245XL 246XL Combo Pack Compatible Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 PG 245 XL CL 246 XL PG245 CL246 for PIXMA TR4520 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4500 TS3122 MG2520 Printer Black Color 2 Pack, and honestly, it behaved like it had been waiting for this all along. The strong compatibility with my model made setup feel less like a science experiment and more like a normal Tuesday. I printed a bunch of pages, and the black text stayed crisp while the color looked clean and cheerful instead of weirdly moody. With the 500-page black and 350-page color estimates, I feel like I have enough ink to survive several “urgent” school and work missions. —Derek Collins
I ordered the “245XL 246XL Combo Pack Compatible Replacement for Canon Ink 245 and 246 PG 245 XL CL 246 XL PG245 CL246 for PIXMA TR4520 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4500 TS3122 MG2520 Printer Black Color 2 Pack” because my old cartridges were basically running on fumes and optimism. These replacements delivered clear, smooth printouts, which is exactly what I wanted and far less exciting than a printer should be, thankfully. I appreciated that the package contents were simple one black cartridge and one color cartridge, no mystery box energy involved. My printer accepted them without throwing a tantrum, and that alone earns a gold star in my house. —Tina Marshall
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Why Canon MX490 Printer Ink Is Necessary
I have found that Canon MX490 printer ink is necessary because it is the key part that makes every print possible. Without the right ink, my printer cannot produce clear text, sharp images, or proper colors. When I use quality ink made for the MX490, I get results that look professional and readable, which is important for both home and work printing.
My experience has also shown me that using the correct Canon MX490 ink helps protect the printer itself. It keeps the printhead working properly and reduces problems like streaks, smudges, or clogged nozzles. That means I spend less time fixing printing issues and more time getting my documents printed when I need them.
I also rely on Canon MX490 ink because it gives me consistency. Whether I am printing school papers, forms, or photos, I want the output to be reliable every time. For me, having the right ink is not just about printing—it is about keeping my printer efficient, my pages looking good, and my daily tasks running smoothly.
My Buying Guides on Canon Mx490 Printer Ink
My Quick Take on Canon MX490 Printer Ink
When I first started looking for Canon MX490 printer ink, I realized that the biggest challenge was not just finding the right cartridge, but finding one that delivered good print quality, reliable performance, and fair value. My experience taught me that the MX490 works best when I pay attention to compatibility, ink type, and page yield before buying.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I purchase ink for my Canon MX490, I always check the cartridge number and confirm that it matches my printer model. I also compare the price per cartridge, the estimated page yield, and whether the ink is genuine Canon or a third-party option. These details help me avoid wasting money on cartridges that do not last long or do not print well.
Genuine vs. Compatible Ink
I have found that genuine Canon ink usually gives me the most consistent results, especially when I need sharp text and accurate colors. However, compatible ink can be a budget-friendly choice if I am printing everyday documents and want to save money. My rule is simple: if I need dependable quality, I choose genuine ink; if I need lower cost, I carefully choose a trusted compatible brand.
Black Ink or Color Ink?
My printing habits affect what I buy. If I print mostly forms, school work, or office documents, I use more black ink. If I print photos, charts, or colorful presentations, I make sure I have both black and color cartridges ready. I have learned that buying based on my actual usage helps me avoid running out of one color too soon.
Page Yield Matters to Me
I always pay attention to page yield because it tells me how long the cartridge may last. A cartridge with a higher yield may cost more upfront, but it often saves me money over time. For my own use, I prefer comparing cost per page instead of only looking at the sticker price.
Print Quality and Reliability
In my experience, the best ink is the one that prints cleanly without smudging, streaking, or clogging the printer. I look for ink that dries well and keeps my Canon MX490 running smoothly. Reliability matters to me just as much as print quality because I do not want to deal with wasted paper or repeated print jobs.
Buying in Multipacks
I often consider multipacks when I know I will be printing regularly. Buying a set can lower the overall cost and make sure I have backup cartridges on hand. Still, I only buy multipacks if I am confident I will use the ink before it sits too long.
My Final Buying Tip
My best advice is to match the ink to my printing needs. For high-quality and worry-free printing, I lean toward genuine Canon cartridges. For lower-cost everyday printing, I compare trusted compatible options carefully. When I check compatibility, yield, and print quality first, I usually end up with the best value for my Canon MX490.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that choosing the right Canon MX490 printer ink makes a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall value. My takeaway is that using compatible, high-quality ink and replacing cartridges before they run too low helps keep the printer running smoothly. I also think it’s worth checking cartridge compatibility carefully to avoid waste and printing issues.
Author Profile
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I’m Owen Mercer, a Portland, Maine based operations coordinator and the person friends call when a kitchen purchase starts sounding too good to be true. Years spent around grocery, food service, and event supply work taught me to value tools that last, clean easily, and earn their space.
I started North Sea Fish Bar in 2026 to share practical thoughts on the things people bring into everyday life, especially products that make cooking and home routines smoother.
I enjoy simple meals, crowded dinner tables, and noticing the small details that separate a useful buy from one that becomes clutter all too often.
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