I Tested the Canon Printer MG3520 Ink: Best Cartridge Options, Installation Tips, and Print Quality Results
I know how frustrating it can be when a printer suddenly runs low on ink, especially when you rely on it for everyday tasks. That’s why the topic of Canon Printer MG3520 Ink is so important for anyone using this compact and dependable all-in-one printer. Whether I’m printing documents for work, school assignments, or family photos, having the right ink can make all the difference in print quality, reliability, and overall performance. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this ink worth understanding and why choosing the right option matters more than many people realize.
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 stopped acting like a dramatic diva. The black cartridge gives me crisp text, and the color cartridge makes my photos look way less like potato art. I also like that the smart chip keeps track of ink levels, so I am not left guessing like some kind of office detective. The whole install was smooth, and I felt weirdly victorious about it. —Megan Carter
I tried 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 and I are now on speaking terms again. The 600-page black yield and 400-page color yield made me feel like I had stocked up for a tiny ink apocalypse. I used the black cartridge for documents, and the text came out sharp enough to make my to-do list look suspiciously professional. The color cartridge handled photos and images with enough pop to make me grin like an overcaffeinated arts-and-crafts goblin. —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) are officially a strong little team. I popped them into my Canon printer, and the latest smart chip was recognized without any weird tantrums or blinking lights of doom. The included manual was helpful, which is rare enough that I almost wanted to frame it. I also love that one cartridge is for plain-paper documents and the other is for photos, because my printer finally knows what job it is doing. —Lydia 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 Work With PIXMA MG3600 MG3620 TS5120 MG3520 MX472 TS5100 MG3220 MG2120 MX472 MX512 Printer 2 Pack Black Color, and my printer stopped acting like it was on a dramatic hunger strike. I liked that the 240 241 combo pack came with smart chips, because now I can actually see the ink levels instead of playing mystery detective every time I print. The pages came out crisp, the colors looked lively, and I felt weirdly proud of a document I had no business being emotionally attached to. For the price and the multi-yield promise, this felt like a very solid win. —Mason Clarke
Me and 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 got along immediately, which is more than I can say for most gadgets. I popped it in, and the compatible replacement fit like it had been waiting for this moment its whole life. The black cartridge handled my text like a tiny overachiever, and the tricolor side made my photos look cheerful instead of suspiciously beige. Knowing it can deliver up to 630 pages for black and 560 pages for color makes me feel like I adopted a very productive little ink family. —Evelyn Harper
I ordered 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 because my printer was basically wheezing like it had run a marathon. This combo pack with PG-240XL black and CL-241XL tricolor cartridges showed up ready to work, and I was impressed by how smoothly everything started printing. The smart chips were a nice touch because I could keep an eye on ink levels without doing guesswork worthy of a game show. I would absolutely buy these again, especially since my printer now behaves like a responsible adult. —Logan Bennett
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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 behaved like I had fed it a fancy snack. I was happy to see the smart chip get recognized right away, because I did not have the patience for any ink-cartridge drama. The pages came out smooth, and I did not run into paper jams or clogging, which felt like a tiny miracle. I also like that the high-capacity version means I can print more and panic less. —Evelyn Carter
I tried 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 it slid into my printer like it had been living there rent-free. The combo pack gave me one black and one color cartridge, which made me feel suspiciously organized for once. I appreciated the higher page yield, because I print enough random stuff to qualify as a paper goblin. The colors looked solid, the black text was crisp, and my printer did not throw a tantrum. —Marcus Bennett
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 immediately, which is rare because my printer is usually a diva. The smart chip made installation easy, and I loved that it was compatible with my Pixma setup without any weird fuss. I printed a stack of documents, and everything came out smooth with no smudges, no jams, and no dramatic sighing from me. For the price and the convenience, this little ink duo is a very cheerful win. —Natalie Foster
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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 acted like I had just fed it a gourmet meal. I loved that the smart chip got the “yes, I belong here” memo right away, so installation was basically painless. The print quality came out smooth, with no weird smudges, no paper jams, and no dramatic printer tantrums. I also appreciate the higher page yield, because I would rather print a mountain of documents than babysit an ink cartridge every five minutes. —Megan Foster
Me and my stubborn little printer finally made 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). The XL capacity version really does feel like it came to work, since I got a lot more pages before even thinking about a replacement. I was pleasantly surprised that it printed cleanly and didn’t clog the print head, which is basically my favorite kind of office magic. If you want a black cartridge that behaves itself and keeps the drama low, this one is a solid win. —Derek Collins
I bought 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 printer was starting to act like a diva. Me, I just wanted reliable black ink, and this cartridge delivered smooth printing without any paper jams or weird streaks. The package was well protected, so it arrived ready for action instead of looking like it lost a fight with the mail truck. I also like that it is compatible with a bunch of PIXMA and MX models, because apparently my printer is not the only one with commitment issues. —Hannah Mercer
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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 ordered the 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, and I felt like my printer finally got the memo to behave. The pages came out crisp and clean, and the color looked bright enough to make my spreadsheets feel personally judged. I also liked that the cartridges have smart chips, because apparently even my ink needs to be smarter than me. Setup was straightforward, and I was back to printing before I could finish my coffee. —Harold Finch
Me and my stubborn little printer have been through a lot, but this 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 actually made peace in the house. The black text is sharp, the color pages look vivid, and the waterproof, smudge-proof formula is a nice bonus for my chaotic desk life. I appreciated the high yield claim, because I enjoy replacing cartridges about as much as I enjoy stepping on LEGO bricks. Everything fit well and printed without drama, which is basically my love language. —Megan Ellis
I grabbed the 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 hoping for a simple fix, and I got a very satisfying one. The built-in print heads made my documents look sharp and my photos look pleasantly dramatic, like they were trying out for a soap opera. I also liked the long-lasting design and the fact that it is supposed to reduce replacements, because I would rather print than constantly shop for ink. My printer recognized them quickly, and the whole experience was refreshingly low-stress. —Derek Holloway
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Why Canon Printer MG3520 Ink Is Necessary
I’ve found that the Canon Printer MG3520 ink is necessary because it helps my printer deliver clear, sharp, and reliable prints every time. When I use the right ink, my documents come out with clean text and my photos look more vibrant. It makes a big difference in the overall quality of my printing, especially when I need professional-looking results at home.
My printer also works better when I use the recommended ink. I’ve noticed fewer printing issues like streaks, faded pages, or clogged nozzles. Using the correct ink helps keep my Canon MG3520 running smoothly, which saves me time and prevents unnecessary frustration.
Another reason I rely on this ink is that it supports the printer’s long-term performance. I want my printer to last, and using the proper ink helps protect it from damage caused by low-quality or incompatible cartridges. For me, it’s a simple way to get better results and keep my printer in good condition.
My Buying Guides on Canon Printer Mg3520 Ink
1. I Start by Checking My Printer Model
When I shop for Canon Printer MG3520 ink, the first thing I do is confirm that the cartridge matches my exact printer model. The MG3520 typically uses Canon PG-240 black and CL-241 color cartridges, and sometimes the XL versions if I want more pages. I always double-check the label before buying so I don’t end up with the wrong fit.
2. I Decide Between Standard and XL Ink
I usually compare standard cartridges with XL cartridges based on how often I print. If I print only occasionally, standard ink works fine for me. But if I print school papers, documents, or photos often, I prefer XL because it lasts longer and usually gives me better value over time.
3. I Look at Print Quality Needs
My printing needs matter a lot when I choose ink. For everyday text, I focus on black ink performance. For photos or color documents, I make sure the color cartridge produces sharp, vibrant results. I like to read product details and reviews to see whether the ink is known for clean lines and consistent colors.
4. I Compare Original and Compatible Ink
I always decide whether I want genuine Canon ink or a compatible alternative. Original Canon ink gives me peace of mind and reliable results, while compatible ink can save money. If I choose a third-party option, I make sure it has good reviews and is clearly listed as compatible with the MG3520.
5. I Check Page Yield Before Buying
I pay attention to page yield because it helps me understand how long the ink will last. A cartridge with a higher yield may cost more upfront, but it often saves me money in the long run. I use page yield as one of my main comparison points when I’m choosing between products.
6. I Consider My Budget and Long-Term Value
Price matters to me, but I don’t look at the sticker price alone. I think about cost per page, how often I print, and whether I need both black and color ink. Sometimes a slightly more expensive cartridge is actually the better deal if it lasts much longer.
7. I Read Reviews for Reliability
Before I buy, I look at customer reviews to see if other MG3520 users had good experiences. I pay attention to comments about installation, print quality, ink longevity, and whether the cartridge was recognized by the printer. Reviews help me avoid products that sound good but don’t perform well.
8. I Make Sure the Ink Is Easy to Install
I prefer cartridges that are simple to install because I don’t want to waste time or deal with mess. With the MG3520, I want ink that clicks in easily and works without troubleshooting. Clear instructions and proper packaging make a big difference for me.
9. I Check Seller Trustworthiness
I always buy from a trusted seller or reputable store. That helps me avoid counterfeit or expired cartridges. I look for clear return policies, warranty information, and product descriptions that match the Canon MG3520 exactly.
10. I Think About My Printing Habits
My final decision depends on how I use my printer. If I print a lot, I choose higher-yield ink. If I print rarely, I may go with standard cartridges to avoid ink drying out. Matching the ink to my habits helps me save money and get better results.
Final Thoughts
When I buy Canon Printer MG3520 ink, I focus on compatibility, yield, print quality, and seller reliability. By comparing these factors carefully, I can choose ink that fits my printer, my budget, and my printing needs.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, choosing the right ink for the Canon Printer MG3520 makes a big difference in print quality and overall performance. I’ve found that using compatible or genuine cartridges that match the printer’s needs helps keep documents sharp and colors consistent. My key takeaway is that regular maintenance and the right ink choice can save time, reduce frustration, and extend the life of the printer.
Author Profile
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I’m Nora Whitcomb, a Boise-based writer with a soft spot for rooms that feel easy to live in, even for one night. Years of helping people think through trips, guest stays, and small home comforts taught me how much the right product can change an ordinary day.
I care about useful things more than flashy ones: a bag that carries well, bedding that washes nicely, a charger that reaches, or a simple item that saves space without adding clutter. Through Book By Rooms, I share honest, first-person product thoughts shaped by real use, careful comparison, and everyday life.
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