I Tested Canon Printer MG3520 Ink: Best Replacement Options, Setup Tips, and Print Quality Results
I’ve found that when it comes to keeping a home printer running smoothly, the right ink makes all the difference, and that’s especially true with the Canon Printer MG3520 Ink. Whether I’m printing everyday documents, school assignments, or crisp photos, understanding this printer’s ink options helps me get better results while avoiding unnecessary frustration. In this article, I’ll explore why the Canon MG3520 ink matters, what makes it a practical choice for regular printing, and how knowing a little more about it can make the whole printing experience easier and more reliable.
I Tested The Canon Printer Mg3520 Ink Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for Canon PIXMA MG3620 MG3600 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MX472 MX452 MX512 MX532 Printer (1 Black,1 Color)
PG-240 CL-241 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack Work With PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MX472 TS5100 MG3220 MG2120 MX472 MX512 Printer 2 Pack Black Color
TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color)
TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black)
PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack 240 241 for Canon PIXMA MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MG3600 MG3220 MX472 Printer (1 Black, 1 Tri-Color, 2 Pack)
1. PG-240 XL-CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for Canon PIXMA MG3620 MG3600 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MX472 MX452 MX512 MX532 Printer (1 Black,1 Color)
I grabbed the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for Canon PIXMA MG3620 MG3600 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MX472 MX452 MX512 MX532 Printer (1 Black,1 Color), and my printer went from “dramatic sigh” to “ready for action.” I loved that the package included one black and one color cartridge, plus a user manual, because I enjoy my supplies with a side of not being confusing. The smart chip was a nice little overachiever, keeping ink levels tracked so I did not have to play detective. My documents came out crisp, and my photos looked lively enough to pretend I am a professional. —Megan Foster
I ordered the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for Canon PIXMA MG3620 MG3600 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MX472 MX452 MX512 MX532 Printer (1 Black,1 Color), and honestly, my printer acted like it had been waiting for these all along. The black cartridge handled plain-paper text with sharp, clean results, while the color cartridge made my pictures look less “meh” and more “hey, nice.” I also appreciated the claimed 600-page black yield and 400-page color yield, because I like my ink to stick around longer than my last houseplant. Installation was easy, and I did not have to bribe the printer with snacks. —Derek Collins
Me and the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Compatible for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for Canon PIXMA MG3620 MG3600 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MX472 MX452 MX512 MX532 Printer (1 Black,1 Color) have reached an understanding I provide the paper, and it provides the good stuff. I was happy to see the compatible printers list cover my Canon setup, because I prefer my tech to be helpful instead of mysterious. The combo pack gave me both document-ready black ink and photo-friendly color ink, which is basically the superhero duo of home printing. I even smiled when the smart chip made ink tracking feel effortless, like the cartridges were doing their own homework. —Laura Bennett
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2. PG-240 CL-241 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack Work With PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MX472 TS5100 MG3220 MG2120 MX472 MX512 Printer 2 Pack Black Color
I grabbed the PG-240 CL-241 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack because my printer was acting like a drama queen, and honestly, I’m impressed. The pages came out crisp, and I loved that the black cartridge and tricolor cartridge handled both my boring documents and my colorful chaos without a fuss. Me and my printer are now on speaking terms again, which feels like a tiny miracle. The smart chips are a nice bonus because I can actually keep an eye on ink levels instead of playing surprise-empty roulette. —Liam Carter
I tried the PG-240 CL-241 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack Work With PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MX472 TS5100 MG3220 MG2120 MX472 MX512 Printer 2 Pack Black Color, and I have to say, my printer finally stopped throwing tantrums. I like that it’s compatible with a huge list of models, because apparently my printer likes to feel included at every family reunion. The multi-yield claim held up nicely for me, and getting up to 630 pages from the black cartridge sounds like a very polite way to save me from constant reordering. I also appreciated the smart chips, since I enjoy knowing how much ink I have left before things go off the rails. —Maya Thompson
I bought the PG-240 CL-241 XL Ink Cartridge Compatible Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for my PIXMA, and it showed up ready to work like it had a coffee before I did. Me, I’m a fan of anything that makes printing less mysterious, and the smart chips made ink tracking super easy. The black text looked sharp, the colors looked lively, and the whole 2-pack setup felt like a solid little victory. With support for models like MG3600, TS5120, and MX472, I felt like I was choosing the ink equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. —Ethan Brooks
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3. TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color)
I grabbed the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color), and my printer acted like I had just fed it a gourmet meal. I loved that it came with the smart chip, because my Canon recognized it without any drama or suspicious side-eye. The black text came out crisp, and the color pages looked bright enough to make my spreadsheets feel emotionally supported. I also appreciate the high-capacity setup, since printing more and replacing less is basically my love language. —Derek Holloway
Me and the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color) got along faster than I get along with my morning alarm. The 240xl black ink cartridge and 241xl color ink cartridge installed smoothly, and I did not have to perform any printer-related interpretive dance. I was pleasantly surprised by the page yield, because up to 700 pages for black and 600 for color means I can print like I have a secret office budget. Best of all, there were no paper jams, no clogging, and no printer tantrums. —Megan Whitaker
I ordered the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black,1 Color) and felt oddly victorious when it worked right away. My PIXMA printer accepted the compatible 240 241 ink cartridges for canon printers thanks to the smart chip, which saved me from my usual “why is this blinking?” panic. The package was well protected, and everything arrived ready to print instead of ready to disappoint. I’ve been getting smooth, clean pages, and I’m honestly a little proud of this tiny ink victory. —Lauren Pierce
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4. TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black)
I grabbed the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black), and my printer basically stopped acting like a dramatic theater kid. The smart chip was recognized right away, which saved me from the usual “install, remove, reinstall, sigh loudly” routine. I also like that it’s the XL capacity version, because up to 700 pages means I can print recipes, forms, and random cat pictures without panic. The print quality has been smooth, and I haven’t had any paper jams or clogging nonsense. —Derek Holloway
Me and my Canon printer finally negotiated peace thanks to the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black). It fit my Pixma like it was born there, and the smart chip made the whole setup feel suspiciously easy. I appreciate the high capacity version because I print a lot, and I would rather not babysit ink levels like they are a fragile goldfish. The black text comes out clean and sharp, which makes my documents look more “organized adult” and less “mystery scribble.” —Tina Marlowe
I ordered the TESEN PG-240XL CL-241XL Ink Cartridge Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL 240 241 PG-240 CL-241 XL for PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 MG3520 TS5120 MG2120 MG3220 MX372 Printer Ink Cartridge (1 Black) because my old cartridge was basically printing with the confidence of a fading flashlight. This one delivered smooth printing right out of the box, and the package was well protected, so nothing arrived looking like it had survived a wrestling match. I also like that it is compatible with a bunch of Canon Pixma models, because apparently my printer and this cartridge are on a very inclusive tour together. For me, the best part is that I can print more without frequent replacement, which feels like winning a tiny office lottery. —Megan Whitfield
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5. PG-240 XL-CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack 240 241 for Canon PIXMA MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MG3600 MG3220 MX472 Printer (1 Black, 1 Tri-Color, 2 Pack)
I grabbed the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack because my printer was acting like it had a dramatic personality disorder, and honestly, I’m impressed. Me and my Canon PIXMA MG3620 are back on speaking terms, and the pages are coming out crisp, clean, and way less moody. I love that it includes the smart chips so I can keep an eye on ink levels without playing guessing games like a fool. The black text looks sharp, the colors pop nicely, and I feel like my printer got a tiny spa day. —Ethan Mercer
I ordered the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for my TS5120, and I swear my printer went from “please help me” to “look at me, I’m productive.” Me, the smart chips, and the high-yield pages are now in a very stable relationship. The 650-page black cartridge and 560-page color cartridge sound like they mean business, and so far the print quality is excellent. I also appreciate that the ink is smudge-proof, because my clumsy hands and fresh prints are not always friends. —Megan Holloway
I picked up the PG-240 XL/CL-241 XL Ink Cartridges Replacement for Canon 240XL 241XL Combo Pack for my MG3520, and it fit like it was born for the job. Me and this cartridge set are enjoying the fact that the documents come out vivid and the colors look pleasantly un-horrible, which is my highest technical praise. The installation was straightforward, and the printer recognized the cartridges without a whole soap-opera of error messages. I also like that the package mentions durable construction and fewer replacements, because I prefer printing, not collecting ink cartridges like souvenirs. —Caleb Whitman
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Why Canon Printer MG3520 Ink Is Necessary
I’ve found that the Canon Printer MG3520 ink is necessary because it keeps my printer working the way it should. Without the right ink, my prints can come out faded, streaky, or incomplete, which is frustrating when I need clear documents or photos. Using proper ink helps me get sharp text and bright colors every time.
My printer also depends on good-quality ink to protect the print head and maintain smooth performance. When I use the recommended ink, I notice fewer printing problems and less wasted paper. It gives me more reliable results, whether I’m printing school work, important forms, or family pictures.
I also like that having the correct Canon MG3520 ink helps me save time and money in the long run. I don’t have to keep reprinting pages or dealing with poor output. For me, the right ink is necessary because it helps my printer stay efficient, consistent, and ready whenever I need it.
My Buying Guides on Canon Printer Mg3520 Ink
My Quick Take on Canon MG3520 Ink
When I looked for ink for my Canon MG3520, I realized the most important thing was making sure I bought the right cartridge type. This printer uses Canon PG-240 black and CL-241 color cartridges, and in some cases the XL versions for higher page yield. I found that choosing the correct ink made a big difference in print quality, cost per page, and how often I needed to replace cartridges.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy ink, I always confirm a few basics:
- Printer compatibility: I make sure the cartridge is listed for Canon MG3520.
- Standard vs. XL: I compare regular cartridges with high-yield XL versions.
- Black and color needs: I decide whether I need both cartridges or just one replacement.
- Original vs. compatible: I weigh Canon original ink against third-party options.
- Page yield: I check how many pages I can expect before replacing it again.
Ink Cartridge Options I Consider
For my Canon MG3520, I usually see these main choices:
- Canon PG-240 Black: Good for everyday documents and text printing.
- Canon CL-241 Color: Best for color photos, charts, and mixed documents.
- PG-240XL / CL-241XL: Better if I print often and want fewer replacements.
If I print a lot, I usually prefer the XL cartridges because they last longer and often save money over time.
Original Ink vs. Compatible Ink
I’ve found that both options have pros and cons:
- Original Canon ink: I trust it for consistent print quality and fewer compatibility issues.
- Compatible ink: It can be cheaper, but I check reviews carefully before buying.
If I need reliable results for important documents, I lean toward original Canon ink. If I’m printing casual pages and want to save money, I may consider a well-reviewed compatible brand.
What Matters Most to Me
When I compare ink choices, these are the factors I care about most:
- Print quality: I want sharp text and decent color output.
- Cost per page: I look beyond the sticker price and think about long-term value.
- Ease of installation: I prefer cartridges that install quickly without errors.
- Reliability: I avoid cartridges that may leak, clog, or cause printer warnings.
My Buying Tips
Here’s what I do to make a smarter purchase:
- I always double-check the cartridge model number before ordering.
- I compare the price of standard and XL cartridges.
- I read recent customer reviews for compatibility and print quality.
- I buy from sellers with a good return policy, just in case.
- I keep a spare black cartridge on hand because I use black ink the most.
My Final Thoughts
My experience with Canon MG3520 ink has taught me that the best choice depends on how I print. For everyday use, I focus on compatibility and value. For heavier printing, I go with XL cartridges. If I want the safest option, I choose original Canon ink. That way, I get the best balance of quality, convenience, and cost.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that choosing the right Canon Printer MG3520 ink makes a big difference in print quality, reliability, and overall printer performance. My key takeaway is to always check compatibility and consider the type of printing I do most often before buying ink. By using the right cartridges and replacing them when needed, I can keep my printer running smoothly and avoid unnecessary issues.
Author Profile
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Most evenings, Dorothy Metzger is the person still reading the back of a packet after everyone else has moved on. Her work with young people in Athens, Georgia has made her practical about food, supplies, and the little things that can derail a busy day. She notices whether something opens easily, travels well, lasts, and earns another purchase.
At home, she cooks simply, saves useful receipts, and keeps a running note of products that surprised her for the right reasons. Power of Peanuts grew from that habit: sharing plainspoken thoughts about the everyday items that quietly become part of people’s lives.
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