2-Piece Ink Cartridge Set 445 Black/446 XL Tri Colour (445/446XL) Review

Introduction

For this review, I’ve been putting the Canon 2-Piece Ink Cartridge Set 445 Black/446 XL Tri Colour (Model Number: 445/446XL) through its paces. This set promises high page yields and vibrant prints, claims I’ve been rigorously testing over the past few weeks. My testing involved printing a variety of documents, including text-heavy reports, colourful presentations, and even some photographs to truly gauge its capabilities.

Features

The standout feature of this ink cartridge set is undoubtedly the high page yield. Canon claims significant print volume from the XL cartridge, a promise that proved largely accurate during my testing. The installation process was straightforward, with the cartridges fitting snugly into my PIXMA MG2540 printer (though compatibility is stated for other PIXMA models as well). The ink itself consistently produced vibrant and sharp colors in my printouts. There was no streaking or smudging, even on more demanding documents.

Performance

Printing speed was consistent with my expectations for this type of printer and ink combination. The black ink performed admirably, producing crisp, clear text. The tri-colour cartridge delivered on its promise of vivid color reproduction, even in detailed graphics. I did notice a slightly more pronounced graininess in photo prints compared to more premium inks, but for everyday document and image printing, the quality is more than acceptable. The page yield did live up to expectations; I managed to print significantly more pages than anticipated based on the advertised yield.

I printed over 300 pages using this ink set before needing to replace the color cartridge, significantly exceeding my typical monthly print volume, while the black cartridge still shows substantial ink remaining. This significant page yield really is its strongest selling point. Another minor point to note, even though it’s not stated as a key feature, is the relative ease of tracking remaining ink levels via the printer software.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: High page yield, vibrant color reproduction, easy installation, good value for money, reliable printing performance
• Cons: Slightly grainy photo prints (compared to premium inks), the packaging could be improved to enhance ease of cartridge identification.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Canon 2-Piece Ink Cartridge Set 445 Black/446 XL Tri Colour (445/446XL) delivers excellent value for its price. The high page yield makes it an ideal choice for users with a moderate to high printing volume. While the photo print quality isn’t exceptional, the vibrant color reproduction and reliable performance more than make up for this minor drawback for most day-to-day printing needs. I would happily recommend this ink cartridge set to anyone looking for a cost-effective and reliable printing solution.