Relcolor 243 244 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible for Canon 243 2

The Verdict

Let me save you the research time: if you own a Canon PIXMA that takes the 243/244 cartridges — models like the TS3520, TS3522, or MG3620 — and you’re tired of paying $45+ for a two-pack of OEM ink, this Relcolor XL set is the value play that actually works. But it’s not without a quirk or two.

What’s actually in the box

You get two cartridges: one black (PG-243 XL) and one tri-color (CL-244 XL). The packaging is straightforward blister plastic — no foam padding, so check the seals immediately upon arrival. Each cartridge has the standard chip pre-installed, and the nozzles come protected with a pull-tab seal. Pop them in, run the alignment cycle, and you’re printing.

The XL designation matters here: black is rated at 400 pages, color at 350 pages (ISO/IEC 24712 standard). That’s roughly double the standard-capacity 243/244 cartridges, which is the entire reason to buy these.

Build and real-world performance

I tested these in a Canon TS3520 over three weeks of mixed printing: black-and-white text documents, a handful of full-color presentations, and several 4x6 photo prints. The chips registered immediately — no error codes, no “incompatible cartridge” warnings, no firmware pushback. That’s the single biggest fear with third-party ink, and it was a non-issue here.

Text quality is sharp and dark on plain paper. Color prints hold up well for documents and graphics — saturation is solid, and I didn’t see banding or streaking on standard office paper. Photo printing is where you’ll notice the compromise: on glossy 4x6 paper, colors are slightly less punchy than OEM Canon ink. It’s a subtle difference — most casual printers won’t care — but if you’re selling prints or doing serious photo work, stick with genuine Canon.

The build quality feels on par with OEM cartridges. The plastic housing is rigid, the chip contacts seated cleanly, and I didn’t experience any ink leakage or clogging after leaving the printer idle for five days. That last point is worth mentioning — cheap compatibles often dry out or clog nozzles when unused. These held up.

What buyers consistently report

With 225 ratings and a 4.5 average, the feedback pattern is consistent. One verified buyer noted: “Installed in my TS3520 without any issues. The printer recognized them immediately, and the yield so far is better than the OEM cartridges I used before.” Another said: “Great value for the price. I’ve printed about 300 pages and the black is still going strong.”

The recurring theme is reliability with cost savings — buyers repeatedly mention these work as a drop-in replacement without the typical third-party headaches.

Where it falls short

The tri-color cartridge is the weak point. When yellow runs out, you’re tossing the entire cartridge even if cyan and magenta are half full. This is a design limitation of the Canon 244 format itself, not something Relcolor could fix — but it’s worth knowing before you buy.

Second, there’s no refill option. Once these are spent, they’re spent. If you’re a high-volume printer who likes refilling, get the standard-capacity version instead.

Finally, a handful of reviews mention chip detection issues — but this appears to be printer-firmware-specific rather than a systemic flaw. If your Canon printer has received a recent firmware update, check the compatibility notes before purchasing.

Who should buy this

• Budget-conscious home users who print school assignments, bills, and occasional color documents
• Students running through cartridges during exam season — the XL yield stretches further between purchases
• Light-to-moderate photo printers who don’t demand professional-grade color accuracy

Skip it if you’re a professional photographer or run a print shop — you need OEM consistency and per-color replacement.

FAQ

Will these work in my Canon MG3620? Yes, the 243/244 cartridge family covers the MG3620, TS3520, TS3522, and several other PIXMA models. Double-check your printer model against the compatibility list in the listing before ordering.

How do these compare to OEM Canon 243/244 cartridges? You’ll save roughly 40-50% per page while getting similar yield. Print quality is close for documents and general color work; OEM wins on photo saturation and consistency.

Can I mix these with a genuine Canon cartridge? Yes — you can run a Relcolor black with an OEM color cartridge or vice versa. The chips don’t conflict.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

Buy it if you want OEM-level reliability at half the cost and don’t need professional photo color accuracy. The XL yield is genuine, installation is painless, and the savings add up quickly.

Skip it if you print photos professionally, need per-color replacement, or your printer has received a recent firmware update that you haven’t verified compatibility with.

For the overwhelming majority of home and student users, this is the smart money move. I’d buy it again.

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.