PG-243 Black & CL-244 Color Ink Replacement for Canon 243 an
✅ PROS
- Designed for productivity and comfort
- Quality build for daily office use
❌ CONS
- May vary based on individual needs and preferences
- Check Amazon for current pricing and availability
The Verdict
The Real Deal on Canon’s OEM Ink — Is It Worth the Premium?
Let’s be blunt: aftermarket ink cartridges are a gamble. You save a few bucks, then your printer starts streaking, or worse, the chip fails and you’re staring at an error code. This PG-243/CL-244 set from Canon sidesteps that entirely because it’s the real thing — genuine OEM ink straight from the manufacturer. At 4.3 stars from 215 shoppers, it’s clearly doing something right. Here’s the breakdown.
What You Actually Get
This is a two-cartridge set: one PG-243 black (standard yield) and one CL-244 color (cyan, magenta, yellow in one unit). Both come factory-sealed in Canon’s recognizable packaging. The cartridges are compact — roughly 4 inches tall — and use Canon’s standard inkjet chip technology, which means your printer will recognize them instantly without firmware headaches.
Print Quality and Real-World Performance
Black text is where the PG-243 shines. On plain copy paper, documents come out crisp with deep, dark blacks and sharp edges — even at smaller font sizes. It’s not laser-quality, but for a home inkjet, it’s about as good as it gets. Color output from the CL-244 is vibrant without being oversaturated. Photos on glossy paper show accurate skin tones and smooth gradients, though you’ll want to stick with Canon’s photo paper for best results.
The standard yield is the honest tradeoff here. Canon rates the PG-243 for roughly 180 pages and the CL-244 for about 180 pages at 5% coverage. If you’re printing a full photo album, you’ll chew through these fast. High-volume users should consider the XL versions (PG-243XL/CL-244XL) for better cost per page.
What Buyers Keep Saying
The praise focuses on reliability and zero-fuss setup. One shopper noted, “Installed in seconds and my Canon PIXMA recognized them immediately — no firmware update dance.” Another mentioned, “Print quality matches what I got with the cartridges that came in the box.” Multiple reviewers highlight that these are indistinguishable from the originals — because they are the originals.
Where It Falls Short
The biggest gripe is the standard yield. Several buyers mentioned burning through the black cartridge faster than expected, especially for mixed document and photo printing. There’s also no bundle option to buy two blacks and one color — you’re locked into the 1:1 ratio. If your printing is 90% text, you’ll be replacing the black cartridge twice as often.
Who Should Buy This
- Home office workers printing documents, forms, and occasional color pages — you’ll appreciate the consistent quality.
- Students who need reliable prints for assignments without worrying about smudging or streaks.
- Anyone tired of third-party cartridge headaches — if you’ve had a chip failure or clogged nozzle, this is your safe harbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will these work in my Canon PIXMA TS3522? A: Yes, if your printer uses PG-243/CL-244 cartridges. This includes the TS3520 series, MG3620, and similar PIXMA models. Check your printer’s manual or Canon’s website for compatibility before ordering.
Q: Do these include the chip that tracks ink levels? A: Yes. These are genuine Canon cartridges with the standard chip, so your printer will display accurate ink levels and prompt you when it’s time to replace.
Q: What’s the difference between standard and XL cartridges? A: The XL versions hold more ink — roughly double the page yield. If you print more than 50 pages a week, the XL is the better value long-term despite the higher upfront cost.
The Verdict
Buy it if: You want zero-risk, genuine Canon ink that works the first time, every time. The print quality is excellent, installation is foolproof, and you value reliability over saving a few dollars.
Skip it if: You’re a high-volume printer who needs maximum page yield per dollar — the XL versions will serve you better. Also skip if you’re strictly a black-and-white printer; you’re paying for color you’ll never use.
Rating: 4.2/5 — Genuine quality, minor yield limitations. Solid for the average home user.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.
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