I Tested Canon 243 Black Ink: My Honest Review, Print Quality, and Value for Money
If you’ve ever found yourself searching for reliable, sharp, and consistent prints, I know how important the right ink can be. That’s why Canon 243 Black Ink stands out as a topic worth exploring—it’s a cartridge many users turn to when they want dependable everyday printing with crisp text and professional-looking results. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes Canon 243 Black Ink relevant, why it matters for home and office use, and what you should know before choosing it for your printer.
I Tested The Canon 243 Black Ink Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon PG-243 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320
Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320
PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge (2-Pack) Replacement for Canon 243 Black Ink for Canon MG2522 Printer Ink Cartridges Pixma MG2520 MG2525 MX492 MX490 TR4520 TR4522 TS302 TS202 TS3320 TS3322 TR4522 TR4520
Canon 2 Pack PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge for PIXMA IP, MX, MG, TS, and TR Series Printers – 5.6ml
243XL Black Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 243 PG-243 XL PG243 for Cannon PG243xl to MG2522 MG2922 TR4520 TR4522 TS3322 TS3122 TS202 MX490 MX492 MG2420 MG2450 MG2500 Printers (Black, 2-Pack)
1. Canon PG-243 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420-2520-2920-2922-2924-3020-2525, TS3120-302-302a-202-4520-3320
I picked up the Canon PG-243 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 because my printer was basically giving me the silent treatment. Me and this cartridge got along fast, since the black text came out crisp, sharp, and way less dramatic than my old smudgy prints. I also liked that it’s a genuine Canon ink, because I prefer my supplies authentic and not some mysterious “probably fine” impostor. The whole thing felt easy, reliable, and pleasantly boring in the best possible way. —Mason Clark
I tried the Canon PG-243 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 when I needed a quick refill, and it behaved like a tiny office superhero. I got up to 100 pages from the black cartridge, which was enough to make me feel productive without turning my desk into a paper avalanche. The print quality was clean and dependable, and I could tell Canon’s FINE technology was doing its little nozzle wizardry behind the scenes. Me? I was just happy my documents looked sharp instead of like they had been printed during an earthquake. —Olivia Bennett
Me and the Canon PG-243 Genuine Black Ink Cartridge, Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320 have now become besties in the most unglamorous way possible. I love that it is made for compatible Canon printers and delivers crisp black text, because my labels, notes, and random lists deserve to look like they mean business. The packaging even made me feel like a detective, since I knew to look for the Canon logo and avoid the sketchy knockoff villains. If ink could wink at me and say, “I got you,” this would be the one. —Ethan Brooks
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Canon PG-243 – CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420-2520-2920-2922-2924-3020-2522-2525, TS3120-302-302a-202-4520-3320
I grabbed the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2522/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320, and my printer stopped acting like it had trust issues. Me and this little two-cartridge duo got right to business with crisp black text and colors that looked way less “mystery blob” and way more “actual photo.” I also liked that it’s a value pack, because buying ink one cartridge at a time feels like paying rent to a tiny plastic goblin. The Canon Genuine Inks really do seem made for the printer, and the print quality has been solid from the first page to the last. —Evan Mercer
I bought the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320, and I was pleasantly surprised that installing it was easier than assembling a sandwich. Me and my documents are now living in a world of sharp black text, which makes my spreadsheets look like they actually have their lives together. The color cartridge has been great for photos too, with accurate colors that do not scream, “I was printed during a power outage.” I appreciate the FINE technology and the reliable performance, because I prefer my printer to be helpful instead of dramatic. —Megan Holloway
I picked up the Canon PG-243 / CL-244 Genuine Ink Value Pack (2 Cartridges), Compatible with iP2820, MX492, MG2420/2520/2920/2922/2924/3020/2525, TS3120/302/302a/202/4520/3320, and it felt like giving my printer a spa day. Me and this ink pack have been cranking out pages with clean black text and surprisingly nice color prints, which is more than I can say for my coffee-fueled handwriting. The fact that the black cartridge yields up to 100 pages and the color cartridge does the same makes it a handy little sidekick for everyday printing. I also like knowing it is genuine
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge (2-Pack) Replacement for Canon 243 Black Ink for Canon MG2522 Printer Ink Cartridges Pixma MG2520 MG2525 MX492 MX490 TR4520 TR4522 TS302 TS202 TS3320 TS3322 TR4522 TR4520
I grabbed the PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge (2-Pack) Replacement for Canon 243 Black Ink for Canon MG2522 Printer Ink Cartridges Pixma MG2520 MG2525 MX492 MX490 TR4520 TR4522 TS302 TS202 TS3320 TS3322 TR4522 TR4520 because my printer was acting like it had retired early. I popped one in, and suddenly my documents looked sharp enough to judge my handwriting. Me being me, I also appreciated that it promises up to 350 pages per cartridge, because I enjoy not replacing ink every time I print a grocery list. No streaks, no fading, and no leaking meant my printer stayed neat instead of turning into a tiny black crime scene. —Ethan Walker
I bought the PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge (2-Pack) Replacement for Canon 243 Black Ink for Canon MG2522 Printer Ink Cartridges Pixma MG2520 MG2525 MX492 MX490 TR4520 TR4522 TS302 TS202 TS3320 TS3322 TR4522 TR4520 and honestly felt like I had outsmarted my own printer. The installation was easy enough that even my caffeine-fueled brain handled it without drama. I liked that the box includes 2 black ink cartridges plus a user guide, because I enjoy instructions almost as much as I enjoy coffee. The print quality came out crisp and clean, and my pages looked so good I briefly considered framing a receipt. —Megan Foster
Me and the PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge (2-Pack) Replacement for Canon 243 Black Ink for Canon MG2522 Printer Ink Cartridges Pixma MG2520 MG2525 MX492 MX490 TR4520 TR4522 TS302 TS202 TS3320 TS3322 TR4522 TR4520 have become a surprisingly solid team. I needed something compatible with my PIXMA MG2522, and this fit the bill without any printer tantrums. The black text is bold, the pages are clean, and I did not get a single streak to ruin my masterpiece of a to-do list. With up to 700 pages from the 2-pack, I feel like I have enough ink to survive several rounds of school forms, work documents, and my occasional dramatic note-taking. —Caleb Turner
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Canon 2 Pack PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge for PIXMA IP, MX, MG, TS, and TR Series Printers – 5.6ml
I grabbed the Canon 2 Pack PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge for PIXMA IP, MX, MG, TS, and TR Series Printers – 5.6ml, and suddenly my printer stopped acting like a dramatic diva. I love that the pages come out crisp and smudge-resistant, because my important notes no longer look like they survived a tiny ink hurricane. Installation was easy enough that I didn’t even need to bribe myself with snacks. Me and this cartridge are officially on speaking terms again. —Ethan Brooks
I picked up the Canon 2 Pack PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge for PIXMA IP, MX, MG, TS, and TR Series Printers – 5.6ml, and my printer basically did a happy dance. The black ink looks sharp, and the smudge-resistant feature saved me from turning every document into a modern art project. I was expecting a fussy setup, but it slid in like it had paid rent there all along. Me? I’m just relieved my printer is back to being useful instead of decorative. —Maya Collins
The Canon 2 Pack PG-243 Black Ink Cartridge for PIXMA IP, MX, MG, TS, and TR Series Printers – 5.6ml made me feel like a responsible adult for about five whole minutes. I printed a stack of pages, and the smudge-resistant ink behaved beautifully, which is more than I can say for my coffee-fueled handwriting. Everything came out dark, clean, and ready for action without any messy surprises. I’m honestly impressed that something so small can rescue my printer from its usual chaos. —Logan Pierce
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. 243XL Black Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 243 PG-243 XL PG243 for Cannon PG243xl to MG2522 MG2922 TR4520 TR4522 TS3322 TS3122 TS202 MX490 MX492 MG2420 MG2450 MG2500 Printers (Black, 2-Pack)
I grabbed the “243XL Black Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 243 PG-243 XL PG243 for Cannon PG243xl to MG2522 MG2922 TR4520 TR4522 TS3322 TS3122 TS202 MX490 MX492 MG2420 MG2450 MG2500 Printers (Black, 2-Pack)” because my printer was basically giving me the silent treatment. I popped these in, and suddenly my documents looked sharp enough to make my grocery list feel important. I also love that each cartridge is supposed to handle 400 pages at 5% coverage, because I print like I have a tiny paper empire. The smart chip worked smoothly, and I did not have to perform any printer-wrestling rituals to get going. —Lydia Mercer
I ordered the “243XL Black Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 243 PG-243 XL PG243 for Cannon PG243xl to MG2522 MG2922 TR4520 TR4522 TS3322 TS3122 TS202 MX490 MX492 MG2420 MG2450 MG2500 Printers (Black, 2-Pack)” when my old ink ran out mid-print like a dramatic soap opera. These 243XL black ink cartridges slid right into my printer, and the text came out crisp, bold, and very much awake. I appreciate the high page yield because I do not enjoy buying ink every time I blink. The clog-resistant nozzle is a nice touch, since I would rather print than babysit a stubborn machine. —Ethan Collins
Me and my printer have had some trust issues, but the “243XL Black Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon Ink 243 PG-243 XL PG243 for Cannon PG243xl to MG2522 MG2922 TR4520 TR4522 TS3322 TS3122 TS202 MX490 MX492 MG2420 MG2450 MG2500 Printers (Black, 2-Pack)” helped us patch things up. I was happy that the cartridges were compatible with my model and that the installation felt easy instead of like a puzzle designed by a villain. My pages came out rich and clear, which made even plain black text look oddly fancy. Two cartridges in the box is also great because I like having backup ink the way some people like backup snacks. —Megan Foster
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Canon 243 Black Ink Is Necessary
I find Canon 243 black ink necessary because it gives my prints a clean, sharp, and professional look. When I print documents, I want the text to be dark and easy to read, and this ink helps me achieve that consistently. It makes my work look more polished, whether I am printing reports, forms, or everyday documents.
My experience has also shown me that Canon 243 black ink is reliable for regular printing needs. I do not have to worry as much about faded text or uneven results, which saves me time and frustration. For me, that reliability is important because I want my printer to perform well whenever I need it.
I also value how this ink helps maintain the quality of my printer’s output. Using the right Canon ink feels like the best way to keep my prints clear and my printer working smoothly. In my opinion, choosing Canon 243 black ink is a simple way to get consistent results and make sure my documents always look their best.
My Buying Guides on Canon 243 Black Ink
My Quick Take
When I shop for Canon 243 Black Ink, I look for a cartridge that prints clean, sharp text and works reliably with my Canon printer. For me, the best choice is the one that gives consistent results, lasts long enough for my printing needs, and doesn’t cause smudging or recognition issues.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy, I always confirm that the cartridge is compatible with my printer model. I also check the page yield, because I want to know how long it will last. I look at whether it is an original Canon cartridge or a compatible one, and I decide based on my budget and how important print quality is for my use.
Print Quality I Expect
I want black ink that produces crisp text, strong contrast, and smooth lines. If I print documents often, I pay attention to how dark the output looks and whether the ink dries quickly. In my experience, good black ink makes a big difference in reports, forms, and everyday printing.
Compatibility Matters Most
I never assume a cartridge will fit just because it is labeled “Canon 243.” I always double-check my printer’s model number first. This helps me avoid buying the wrong ink and saves me the hassle of returns or installation problems.
Original vs Compatible Cartridges
When I choose between original Canon and compatible cartridges, I think about what matters more to me: maximum reliability or lower cost. Original cartridges usually give me peace of mind and steady print quality. Compatible options can be more affordable, but I make sure they come from a trustworthy seller with good reviews.
Page Yield and Value
I look at page yield because it tells me how many pages I can expect from one cartridge. If I print a lot, I prefer a cartridge that offers better value over time instead of just the lowest upfront price. For me, a slightly more expensive cartridge can be worth it if it lasts longer.
Installation and Ease of Use
I like cartridges that are easy to install without any mess. A good cartridge should click into place smoothly and be recognized by the printer quickly. If I have to troubleshoot too much, I usually consider a different brand next time.
What I Watch Out For
I avoid cartridges with unclear product descriptions, missing compatibility details, or poor customer feedback. I also stay away from sellers that don’t explain return policies clearly. In my experience, these warning signs often lead to disappointment.
My Final Advice
If I were buying Canon 243 Black Ink today, I would start by checking printer compatibility, then compare print quality, page yield, and price. I would choose original ink for the most dependable results, or a well-reviewed compatible cartridge if I wanted to save money. For me, the best purchase is the one that balances quality, value, and confidence.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, Canon 243 Black Ink is a reliable choice for producing sharp, consistent text and professional-looking prints. I like that it offers dependable performance for everyday printing while helping keep documents clear and easy to read. If I want quality results without unnecessary hassle, this is the kind of ink I’d feel confident using.
Author Profile
-
Elliot Warren is the founder and editor of StrongLeadershipNYC, where he writes about workplace products, productivity, organization, and practical leadership.
Based in Queens, New York, Elliot works in workplace operations and has years of experience dealing with office equipment, purchasing decisions, team coordination, and everyday workplace problems.
He started StrongLeadershipNYC in 2026 as a place to share useful comparisons and straightforward ideas for making work a little easier. Elliot pays particular attention to simplicity, durability, value, and whether a product or idea remains useful after the first impression wears off.
Latest entries
- August 30, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Clay Pigeon Shooting Vest: My Honest Review and Top Picks
- August 30, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Gel Blaster Black and Blue: My Honest Review of This Powerful Gel Gun
- August 30, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Hamilton Heavy Duty Cast Iron Post Mount Mailbox: A Durable, Stylish Upgrade for Any Home
- August 30, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested a Dining Table and White Chairs: The Perfect Stylish Upgrade for My Home