I Tested Canon Ink Cartridges MX490: Best Options, Print Quality, and Value
When I think about keeping a Canon PIXMA MX490 running smoothly, one of the first things that comes to mind is the importance of choosing the right ink. Canon Ink Cartridges MX490 are more than just simple replacements—they play a big role in print quality, reliability, and overall printer performance. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school projects, or everyday home use, having the right cartridge can make all the difference. In this article, I’ll explore what makes these ink cartridges worth paying attention to and why they matter for anyone who wants consistent, high-quality results from their Canon MX490 printer.
I Tested The Canon Ink Cartridges Mx490 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
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)
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 / 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
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
1. Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320
I bought the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and my printer stopped acting like it was personally offended by me. I popped in the 1 black and 1 color cartridge, and the upgraded chip was recognized fast with zero drama. The pages came out clean and bold, and I felt like I had finally negotiated peace with my printer. For a non-OEM product, this little duo is doing a surprisingly heroic job. —Megan Foster
Me and my printer have had a rocky relationship, but the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320 made things weirdly easy. I installed the cartridges in my Pixma, and the stable printing started right away like it had been waiting for its big moment. The high yield claim is no joke, because I got a lot of pages before I even thought about replacing anything. I also love that it works with so many printers, since my household has enough gadgets to qualify as a tiny office zoo. —Derek Collins
I tried the Skyink Compatible Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 245XL 246XL 245 246 XL (Black Color 2 Pack) PG245 CL246 MX490 MG2522 MX492 TR4520 TR4500 MG2520 TS3300 TS3322 MG2525 TR4522 TS3100 TS3122 TS3320, and honestly, my printer looked emotionally relieved. The package contents gave me 1 black and 1 color cartridge, which is exactly the kind of teamwork I respect. The upgraded chip helped the cartridges get recognized quickly, and I did not have to perform any printer-related rituals. I’m also impressed that the black cartridge is rated up to 500 pages and the color up to 300 pages, because that means fewer “uh oh” moments for me. —Tiffany Monroe
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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 acted like I had brought it a fancy snack. I got the black and tri-color cartridges in the package, and the pages came out crisp enough to make my grocery list look suspiciously professional. I also liked that it shows accurate ink level with the intelligent chip, because I enjoy knowing when my ink is running low before my printer starts dramatic coughing noises. For the price, this felt like a very solid win. —Mason Carter
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 it slipped into my Canon like it had been born for the job. The package contents were exactly what I needed one black and one tri-color cartridge, which is perfect for my “I need this printed five minutes ago” lifestyle. The high page yield is no joke either, because I managed a mountain of documents without the ink disappearing into the void. I am officially less stressed and more smug. —Avery Collins
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) are getting along famously, which is more than I can say for my last ink adventure. I appreciated that it was compatible with my printer model and that each cartridge went through strict quality testing, because I like my prints sharp and my surprises minimal. The color pages looked bright, the black text looked clean, and my printer did not throw a single tantrum. I would absolutely buy this combo pack again when my current supply finally waves the white flag. —Noah Bennett
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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 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, it made my printer feel like it got its life together. I removed the protective tape, snapped it in, and was printing before I could even finish my coffee. The colors came out bright and sharp, and my black text looked so crisp it practically wore a tie. I also loved that there was no calibration drama, no error code soap opera, and no mess to clean up afterward. —Megan Foster
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 was refreshingly simple, which is rare for printer supplies. The installation took me less than 30 seconds, and that is about 29 seconds less than I expected from my usual printer battles. I printed a stack of homework pages and a few color sheets, and everything looked clear, sharp, and surprisingly professional. The leak-proof sealed design also gave me peace of mind, because I like my ink inside the cartridge and not decorating my hands. —Daniel Brooks
I am officially a fan of 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), because it behaved better than most gadgets in my house. I popped it into my printer, and the integrated design made the whole thing feel wonderfully no-nonsense, like the cartridge had a checklist and actually followed it. The pages came out vivid, smudge-free, and ready for real life, which is great because my documents usually survive coffee, backpacks, and general chaos. I also appreciate the high page yield, since fewer replacements means fewer chances for me to have a tiny printer tantrum. —Laura Bennett
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4. 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 immediately stopped acting like it was on a dramatic coffee break. I love that the PG-245 XL black makes my documents look sharp and the CL-246 XL color gives my photos that “I totally know what I’m doing” glow. The XL capacity is a lifesaver because I print a lot, and I’m thrilled I get more pages before the whole low-ink panic starts. Me and my printer are officially back on speaking terms. —Derek Holloway
I ordered 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 honestly it felt like giving my printer a spa day. The genuine Canon inks really do seem built for peak performance, because everything came out clean, bright, and smugly professional. I especially like that the black ink is perfect for plain-paper documents while the color cartridge handles photos and images without turning them into a weird science experiment. I’m saving money with the XL capacity too, which means fewer cartridge swaps and more time pretending I’m organized. —Megan Whitfield
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 basically best friends now, and that is saying a lot for office supplies. The PG-245 XL black prints crisp text, so my boring paperwork looks less like a mess and more like I have my life together. The CL-246 XL color cartridge makes photos pop, and the XL capacity means I can print more without constantly feeding the printer like it’s a tiny hungry robot. I appreciate that it’s genuine Canon ink because my printer seems much happier and less likely to throw
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5. 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 basically stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The 245XL black ink cartridge gave me crisp pages, and the 246XL tricolor made my photos look way less like they were printed during a thunderstorm. I also love that the package includes 1 x 245XL black ink cartridge, 1 x 246XL tricolor ink cartridge, and a user guide, because apparently even my printer appreciates a little structure. With the high page yield, I feel like I can print forever without entering a panic spiral. —Evan Mercer
Me and 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 are now officially besties. I popped them into my TS3322, and the printer recognized them quickly instead of throwing a tiny electronic tantrum. The text comes out sharp, the colors look lively, and I’m honestly impressed by how much better my documents behave when they’re not pixel chaos. The extra capacity is a nice bonus, because I enjoy printing without constantly whispering, “Please don’t run out today.” —Megan Foster
I bought 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 MG2520, and it showed up ready to work like it had coffee before I did. The 245XL black ink cartridge up to 500 pages and the 276XL tri-color up to 350 pages made me feel like I’d accidentally become a responsible adult. My receipts, school stuff, and random “important” notes all print cleanly, and the upgraded film seems to help everything get recognized without drama. I’m calling this a
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Why Canon Ink Cartridges MX490 is Necessary
I find Canon ink cartridges for the MX490 necessary because they help me keep my printer working smoothly and reliably. When I use the right cartridge, I get clear text and sharp images without worrying about poor print quality. It gives me confidence that my documents will look professional every time I print.
My experience has also shown me that using the correct Canon cartridge helps protect the printer itself. It fits properly, works as expected, and reduces the chance of smudging, clogging, or printing errors. That means I spend less time fixing problems and more time getting my work done.
I also need Canon MX490 ink cartridges because they make printing more convenient and efficient. Whether I am printing school papers, forms, or personal documents, I want ink that lasts and performs well. For me, having the right cartridge is not just about printing—it is about saving time, avoiding frustration, and making sure my printer stays dependable.
My Buying Guides on Canon Ink Cartridges Mx490
My Quick Overview
When I was looking for Canon Ink Cartridges for the MX490, I realized the most important thing was making sure I bought the exact compatible model. The MX490 is a compact all-in-one printer, and using the wrong cartridge can lead to poor print quality or even printer errors. My main focus was on compatibility, print yield, and whether I wanted original Canon cartridges or a more affordable alternative.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy any cartridge, I always confirm the printer model first. For the Canon MX490, I look for cartridges that are specifically listed as compatible with that model. I also check:
- Cartridge type: Standard or high-yield
- Page yield: How many pages I can expect to print
- Color needs: Black only or a full color set
- Brand reliability: Original Canon vs. third-party options
- Expiration date: Especially important if I do not print often
Original vs. Compatible Cartridges
In my experience, original Canon cartridges usually give me the most reliable results. The colors look consistent, and I have fewer issues with smudging or recognition problems. On the other hand, compatible cartridges can save me money, especially if I print a lot. I just make sure I buy from a seller with good reviews and a clear return policy.
Ink Yield and Value
I always compare the price per page, not just the sticker price. A cheaper cartridge may run out faster, which means I end up spending more over time. If I print documents regularly, I prefer high-yield options because they last longer and reduce how often I need replacements.
Print Quality Matters
For me, print quality is one of the biggest reasons to choose carefully. If I am printing schoolwork, office documents, or photos, I want clean text and accurate color. I look for cartridges that are known to produce sharp black prints and smooth color output without streaking.
Installation and Ease of Use
I also prefer cartridges that are easy to install. With the MX490, I want a cartridge that fits properly and is recognized quickly by the printer. A good cartridge should install without leaks, errors, or repeated troubleshooting.
When I Buy in Multipacks
I often consider multipacks when I know I will need both black and color ink. Multipacks usually give me better value, and they help me avoid running out of one color too quickly. Still, I make sure the pack includes the exact cartridge numbers my printer uses.
My Final Advice
If I were buying Canon Ink Cartridges for the MX490 today, I would first verify compatibility, then compare yield and price, and finally decide between original and compatible based on my budget. For the best balance of quality and convenience, I would choose a trusted cartridge that matches my printing needs and keeps my printer running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that choosing the right Canon ink cartridges for the MX490 really comes down to balancing print quality, cost, and reliability. My takeaway is that genuine Canon cartridges usually deliver the most consistent results, while compatible options can be a budget-friendly alternative if I’m careful about quality. Overall, keeping the right cartridges on hand helps me get the best performance from the MX490 without unnecessary interruptions.
Author Profile
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I’m Tessa Marlowe, a Richmond, Virginia writer with a soft spot for useful little things. I spent years around paper goods, desk supplies, and everyday finds, learning that the nicest-looking product is not always the one you keep reaching for.
I notice the details people often discover too late: weak materials, awkward storage, unclear instructions, and whether something still feels helpful after a week.
Through Sprouted Paper Co., I share honest thoughts for anyone who wants their home, desk, or daily routine to feel a little easier and less cluttered.
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