Canon 245 vs 245XL, What Is the Difference?
Canon PG-245 and PG-245XL ink cartridges are popular choices, especially for users of Canon PIXMA printers such as the MG2525, MX492, and TS3320. In this blog, we will explore the similarities and differences between the Canon 245 vs 245XL and provide some buying advice.
Quick Look: Canon 245 vs 245XL
Canon PG-245 | Canon PG-245XL | |
Ink Type | Pigment-Based Black Ink | |
Compatible Printers | Canon PIXMA iP2820, iP2850, PIXMA MG2420, MG2520, PIXMA MG2522, MG2525, MG2550, MG2555, MG2900, MG2920, MG2922, MG2924, MG3020, MG3022, MG3029, MG3050, MG3052, MX490, MX492, MX495, TR4500, TR4520, TR4522, TR4550, TS202, TS205, TS302, TS302a, TS305, TS3100, TS3120, TS3122, TS3129, TS3150, TS3151, TS3320, TS3322, TS3350, TS3351, TS3420. | |
Matching Ink Cartridges | Canon CL-246 Color Ink Cartridge | Canon CL-246XL Color Ink Cartridge |
Page Yield | Standard-Yield: 180 Pages; 8.0 ml | High-Yield: 300 Pages; 12.0 ml |
OEM Ink Price | $20.99 | $29.99 |
Cost Per Page | $0.12 | $0.10 |
Both the Canon 245 and 245XL are pigment-based black ink cartridges designed for high-quality black and white printing. They are compatible with the same Canon PIXMA printer models and produce clear, precise text and images. However, their differences become apparent when we look at their matching ink cartridges, page yields, prices, and cost per page.
First, they use corresponding color ink cartridges: Canon 246 and Canon 246XL. In addition, the Canon PG-245 is a standard-yield ink cartridge that prints 180 pages, while the Canon PG-245 XL is the high-yield version that can print 300 pages. With a lower cost per page, the Canon 245XL is more cost-effective in the long run. This makes it a good choice for long-term print users.

Replacement Canon 245XL 246XL Ink Combo Pack of 2 – High Yield
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.
- Save More than 30% than OEM Cartridges.
- Same Performance and Compatibility as OEM.
- Fast Delivery within 1-3 Business Days.
- Sale Price: $38.98
What Do the Canon 245 and 245XL Have in Common?
Ink Type
Both the Canon 245 and 245XL are pigment-based black inks, which is ideal for printing outstanding black-and-white text and images. Whether you’re printing documents, reports, or photos, these ink cartridges deliver consistent and reliable results. Plus, they have the same physical dimensions of 3.30 x 2.10 x 3.90 inches, making them seamlessly compatible with the same Canon printer models.
Compatible Printers
What’s more, they have the same printer compatibility. The Canon PG-245 and PG-245 XL are both compatible with a variety of Canon PIXMA printers, including:
- Canon PIXMA iP Series: iP2820, iP2850
- Canon PIXMA MG Series: MG2420, MG2520, MG2522, MG2525, MG2550, MG2555, MG2900, MG2920, MG2922, MG2924, MG3020, MG3022, MG3029, MG3050, MG3052
- Canon PIXMA MX Series: MX490, MX492, MX495
- Canon PIXMA TR Series: TR4500, TR4520, TR4522, TR4550
- Canon PIXMA TS Series: TS202, TS205, TS302, TS302a, TS305, TS3100, TS3120, TS3122, TS3129, TS3150, TS3151, TS3320, TS3322, TS3350, TS3351, TS3420
Canon 245 vs 245XL: What Is the Difference?
Canon 245 245 XL ink cartridges differ mainly in these aspects.

Matching Ink Cartridges
Pairing the correct black and color ink cartridges ensures optimal performance, especially when printing color documents that also contain black text or images. The Canon 245 and 245XL black ink cartridges are designed to be used with different color cartridge sets:
- Canon PG-245: Pair with the Canon CL-246 color ink cartridge.
- Canon PG-245XL: Pair with the Canon CL-246XL, a high-yield version of the color cartridge.
Page Yield
Page yield refers to the number of pages a cartridge can print before it needs to be replaced. This is one of the most significant differences between the Canon PG-245 and PG-245XL.
The Canon 245 is a standard yield ink cartridge that contains 8.0 ml of ink. It can print about 180 pages and is suitable for light printing needs or occasional use.
The Canon 245XL is a high yield ink cartridge that contains 12.0 ml of ink. It prints about 300 pages and is suitable for frequent printing or high-volume tasks.
As you can see, the Canon 245 XL has a higher page yield and you can replace the cartridge less often.
Ink Cartridge Price
The cost of each cartridge reflects its ink capacity and page yield. Here is a price comparison: Canon PG-245: $20.99; Canon PG-245XL: $29.99.
The Canon 245 is priced lower, while the PG-245XL is more expensive due to its increased capacity.
In addition, their corresponding color ink cartridges are a bit more expensive: Canon CL-246: $25.99; Canon CL-246XL: 33.99.
Cost Per Page
Cost per page is a key metric in determining the cost-effectiveness of an ink cartridge, with the lower the number, the more cost-effective it is. It is calculated by dividing the price of the cartridge by the number of pages it can print.
Canon PG-245 | Canon PG-245XL | |
Price ($) | 20.99 | 29.99 |
Page Yield (Pages) | 180 | 300 |
Cost Per Page ($) | 0.12 | 0.10 |
As you can see, while the upfront cost is higher, the long-term savings make the Canon 245XL a better choice for users who print frequently.
Canon 245 vs 245XL: Which One to Choose?
Price ($) | Page Yield (Pages) | Cost Per Page ($) | |
Canon PG-245 | 20.99 | 180 | 0.12 |
Canon PG-245XL | 29.99 | 300 | 0.10 |
Canon CL-246 | 25.99 | 180 | 0.14 |
Canon CL-246XL | 33.99 | 300 | 0.11 |
Canon 245 246 | 46.98 | 360 | 0.13 |
Canon 245XL 246XL | 63.98 | 600 | 0.11 |
From the above comparison, we can know that the Canon 245XL has better value in the long run because of the lower cost per page. Therefore, if you print a lot or print frequently, we recommend the Canon 245 XL. If you print occasionally, choosing the standard-yield version is enough.
For combo pack comparisons, we recommend the Canon 245XL 246XL combo pack over the Canon 245 246 because it offers similar long-term savings and convenience.

Conclusion
By understanding the differences between these cartridges, you can find which one is right for your printing needs. Whether you choose the standard-yield PG-245 or the high-yield PG-245XL, you are choosing quality and reliability for your Canon PIXMA printer.
A very concise and well written review, thanks.