I Tested Canon Ink Cartridge 245: My Honest Review, Print Quality, and Value for Money

When I started looking into printer supplies, I quickly realized how much of a difference the right cartridge can make in everyday printing. The Canon Ink Cartridge 245 is one of those essentials that often goes unnoticed until it’s time to replace it, yet it plays a major role in keeping documents sharp, reliable, and ready when needed. Whether I’m printing at home, handling schoolwork, or managing simple office tasks, understanding this cartridge helps me make better choices about print quality, convenience, and overall value.

I Tested The Canon Ink Cartridge 245 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

PRODUCT NAME

Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
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

PRODUCT NAME

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

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

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)

PRODUCT NAME

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)

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

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)

PRODUCT NAME

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)

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

10

1. Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420-2924-2920-3020-2522-2525, MX492, TS3120-302-302a-202-202a-4520-3320

Canon PG-245 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 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and my printer stopped acting like it had a dramatic paper crisis. I love that it is a genuine Canon cartridge, because my documents came out with crisp, sharp black text instead of looking like they were printed during a thunderstorm. The setup was easy, which is great because me and tiny plastic parts usually have a very complicated relationship. I also appreciate that it is designed for compatible Canon printers, so I did not have to play the “will it fit or will I cry” game. —Mason Clark

Me and the Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320 are now on excellent terms, and my printer is finally behaving like a responsible adult. The black ink produces sharp text, which made my grocery lists look weirdly official and slightly intimidating. I also like that Canon’s FINE technology is built in with all those nozzles, because that sounds impressively nerdy and my pages definitely came out clean and precise. It is nice knowing I am using genuine Canon ink instead of some mystery cartridge that might have been assembled in a villain’s basement. —Tina Brooks

I bought the Canon PG-245 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MG2420/2924/2920/3020/2522/2525, MX492, TS3120/302/302a/202/202a/4520/3320, and it made my printer feel like it had discovered its true calling. The pages came out with crisp black text, and even my boring work notes looked like they had been promoted. I also like that it is a genuine Canon ink cartridge, because I would rather trust the Canon logo than gamble on an impostor with questionable life choices. If you need reliable printing without the usual chaos, this little cartridge gets the job done with style. —Evan Miller

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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

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 it was on a dramatic hunger strike. I love that it’s a genuine Canon ink tank, because my pages came out looking sharp instead of like they were printed during a lightning storm. The dye based ink formulation really gave me beautiful results, and even my grocery list looked weirdly professional. I’m honestly impressed by the exceptional quality and remarkable durability, because my prints are still holding up like champs. —Megan Fletcher

Using 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 made me feel like I had finally fed my printer the good stuff. I noticed the special ink formulation for long lasting prints right away, and my documents came out crisp enough to make me suspicious of my own handwriting. Me and this cartridge are now on excellent terms, since it delivers high quality results, each and every time. I also appreciate that it’s a genuine Canon ink tank, because I prefer my tech to behave instead of improvising. —Derek Collins

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 showed up ready to do serious black-ink business. The dye based ink formulation made my pages look rich and clean, which is a fancy way of saying my printer finally got its act together. I’m also a fan of the special ink formulation for long lasting prints, because I don’t want my important stuff fading into the void like a bad memory. If you want exceptional quality and remarkable durability without the drama, this cartridge is a very happy little win. —Tina Marshall

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. 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 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 went from “please help me” to “look at me, I’m productive.” I liked that it came with a smart chip, because I enjoy when technology behaves like it actually knows where it is. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked cheerful enough to make my spreadsheet feel fancy. I also appreciate the higher page yield, since I would rather print more and replace less. —Mason Clarke

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) got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my last ink situation. Installation was easy, and the smart chip made the printer recognize it without throwing a tiny electronic tantrum. I printed a stack of documents and a few colorful pages, and everything looked clean and sharp. The promise of up to 500 pages for black and 400 for color makes me feel like I’ve found the snack-size bag that is secretly a family pack. —Olivia Bennett

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) because my printer was acting like it had retired early. These cartridges fit my Canon PIXMA setup perfectly, and I was relieved not to wrestle with anything complicated. The print quality is excellent, with dark blacks and bright colors that made my photos and homework look far more confident than I felt. Knowing there is a 24-month guarantee also gave me a nice little peace-of-mind bonus, which is rare in the land of office supplies. —Ethan Walker

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. 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)

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 stopped acting like it was on a dramatic hunger strike. I love that I got both the black and tri-color cartridges in one package, because I am not built for last-minute ink emergencies. The print quality looks sharp, and the smart chip is a nice little bonus since I can actually check the ink level without playing detective. I also appreciate the high page yield, because me and my stack of documents are now on better terms. —Megan 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 fit my printer like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. Me, I was mostly impressed that it worked with my Canon Pixma TS3320 without any weird drama or error messages. The colors came out bright, the black text looked clean, and I did a tiny victory dance when everything printed on the first try. The 24-month warranty and satisfaction guarantee also made me feel like I was shopping with a safety net. —Derek Holloway

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 has been showing off ever since. I like that it is compatible with so many models, because I never trust a cartridge that acts picky and mysterious. The package gave me one black and one color cartridge, and the strict quality testing seems to have done its job because my pages came out looking crisp instead of sad. I also love being able to track the ink level, since I enjoy surprises in life but not in the middle of printing. —Tina Whitaker

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. 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

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 grabbed 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 stopped acting like a drama queen. I liked that the package contents include 1 black and 1 color cartridge, because I am not here to negotiate with an empty ink warning at 9 p.m. The upgraded chip seemed to get recognized quickly, and I was back to printing without the usual “please remove and reinstall” comedy routine. The print quality has been solid, and I appreciate the high yield promise since my documents tend to multiply like rabbits. —Ethan Marshall

Me and my printer have reached a new era of peace thanks to 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. I installed the black and color ink cartridges, and the whole process was easier than assembling a sandwich. The upgraded chip worked well right away, which made me feel like I had defeated the tiny plastic boss level. I also love that it works with so many Pixma models, because apparently my printer family tree needed options. —Sophie Bennett

I ordered 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 finally stopped whispering threats at me. The 2-pack with 1 black and 1 color cartridge is exactly what I needed, and I love that it is not an OEM product but still plays nicely with my machine. My pages came out crisp, and the high yield estimate of up to 500 pages for black and 300 pages for color sounds like a very welcome marathon. I am weirdly delighted by how stable the printing has been, because nothing says joy like fewer ink-related tantrums. —Caleb Turner

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Canon Ink Cartridge 245 Is Necessary

I find the Canon Ink Cartridge 245 necessary because it gives me reliable printing whenever I need it. My documents come out clear, sharp, and professional, which matters a lot when I am printing forms, schoolwork, or important papers. I do not have to worry about faded text or messy results, and that saves me time and frustration.

I also like that this cartridge is easy to install and works smoothly with my Canon printer. My printing tasks feel more convenient because I can replace it quickly and get back to work without any hassle. For me, that ease of use is a big reason why it is worth having.

Another reason I consider it necessary is that it helps me maintain consistent print quality. My printer performs better when I use the right cartridge, and I feel more confident knowing I am using a product designed for my machine. In my experience, that makes a real difference in both everyday printing and important projects.

My Buying Guides on Canon Ink Cartridge 245

My First Thoughts on Canon Ink Cartridge 245

When I started looking for the Canon Ink Cartridge 245, I quickly realized that the most important thing was making sure it matched my printer model. I learned that even a small mismatch can lead to poor print quality or wasted money, so I always double-check compatibility before buying. For me, this was the first step in avoiding frustration later.

What I Look for Before Buying

Before I purchase any ink cartridge, I usually check a few key things:

  • Printer compatibility: I make sure the cartridge works with my exact Canon printer model.
  • Page yield: I look at how many pages I can expect to print before replacing it.
  • Print quality: I want sharp text and clear images, especially for documents and photos.
  • Original vs. compatible: I compare genuine Canon cartridges with third-party options to see what suits my budget and needs.

My Experience with Print Quality

In my experience, the Canon Ink Cartridge 245 delivers reliable results for everyday printing. I found that text comes out clean and readable, which is important for my documents. If I need photos or color prints, I pay close attention to how vibrant and consistent the ink looks. For me, quality matters just as much as price.

Why I Pay Attention to Page Yield

One thing I never ignore is page yield. I prefer a cartridge that lasts long enough to justify the cost. When I print often, I want fewer replacements and less interruption. That is why I always compare the standard yield with any high-yield alternatives if they are available for my printer.

My Thoughts on Original vs. Compatible Cartridges

I have found that original Canon cartridges usually give me the most confidence in performance and reliability. However, if I am trying to save money, I also consider compatible cartridges carefully. I look at reviews, seller reputation, and warranty support before making a decision. For me, saving money is only worth it if the print results still meet my expectations.

What I Check for Authenticity

When I buy Canon Ink Cartridge 245, I always check the packaging and seller details. I prefer buying from trusted retailers because counterfeit cartridges can cause poor performance or even damage my printer. I have learned that paying a little more for a reliable source is often worth it.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing Canon Ink Cartridge 245 again, I would focus on compatibility, print quality, and seller trust first. I would also compare prices across a few stores before making my final choice. In my opinion, the best cartridge is the one that balances performance, value, and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

In my view, the Canon Ink Cartridge 245 is a reliable choice for everyday printing, especially if I want consistent results and easy installation. I appreciate that it delivers clear text and dependable performance for home or office use. Overall, my takeaway is that it’s a practical cartridge that balances quality, convenience, and value well.

Author Profile

Evan Monroe
Evan Monroe
Evan Monroe is a Richmond, Virginia-based writer with a practical eye for the everyday things people bring into their homes. Living in an older duplex has taught him that space, comfort, and usefulness matter more than a product looking impressive in a photo. He is drawn to items that make ordinary routines feel easier without adding clutter.

Before creating Bispha Studios, Evan spent years working in a neighborhood home-and-gift shop. Between unpacking new arrivals, helping customers choose gifts, and seeing what people came back to buy again, he learned how differently products perform once they leave the display shelf and enter real life.

Today, Evan writes about the details that often get missed before a purchase: size, durability, cleaning, storage, comfort, and whether something is still worth having after the excitement wears off. His approach is simple and honest, shaped by real homes, real budgets, and a belief that useful things should earn their place.