Canon PG-245XL & CL-246XL Ink Review (2026): Worth Buying?

Canon PG-245XL (black) and CL-246XL (tri-color) cartridges are the high-yield option for Canon PIXMA printers in the budget and mid-range lineup. At around $28 for a combo pack, they offer substantially better value than the standard 245/246 cartridges — but the cost per page still runs higher than tank-based alternatives. Here's whether they're the right choice for your Canon printer.

Which Printers Use Canon 245/246 Ink?

Canon PG-245 (black) and CL-246 (color) cartridges are compatible with Canon PIXMA MG2522, MG2525, TS202, TS302, TR4520, TR4720, MX490, and MX492 printers. These are Canon's budget all-in-one and single-function inkjet printers, typically priced under $100. The printers are popular for home use due to their low upfront cost, making ink cartridge economics particularly important.

Page Yield and Value Analysis

The XL cartridges offer dramatically better value than standard versions. PG-245XL yields approximately 300 pages vs 180 for the standard PG-245 — a 67% increase in yield for typically only 30-40% more cost. Similarly, CL-246XL yields 400 pages vs 240 for the standard CL-246. Combo packs (one black + one color) typically cost $28 for XL versions vs $22 for standard — the XL is a no-brainer choice. Never buy the standard 245/246 unless you need cartridges immediately and XL isn't available.

Cost Per Page Reality Check

At $28 for a combo pack yielding ~300 black and ~400 color pages, your per-page cost runs about $0.05-$0.07 depending on your color mix. For comparison, an Epson EcoTank costs $0.003 per page. If you print 100 pages per month, you're spending $6-$7 monthly on Canon cartridges vs under $1 for EcoTank. Over a year, that's $72-$84 vs $12 — a $60-$72 difference. The Canon printer may cost less upfront, but the ink economics favor EcoTank within the first year of moderate use.

Compatible vs Genuine Canon Cartridges

Third-party compatible 245/246XL cartridges cost roughly $15-$18 for a combo pack vs $28 for genuine Canon — a 35-40% savings. We tested both. Genuine Canon produced slightly better color accuracy, especially on photos. Compatible cartridges worked fine for documents but showed minor color shift on images and occasional streaking after sitting idle. For document-only printing, compatible is acceptable. For photos or maximum reliability, stick with genuine Canon.

Should You Buy Canon PG-245XL Ink?

Buy it if: You already own a Canon PIXMA that uses these cartridges and print infrequently (under 50 pages/month). Always buy XL combo packs for best value. Consider compatible cartridges if you only print documents.

Consider switching if: You find yourself buying cartridges every month or two. At that usage level, switching to an Epson EcoTank printer will save you hundreds per year in ink costs. The printer may cost more upfront, but it pays for itself quickly.