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Which Canon Ink Cartridges Offer the Best Value for Home Printing?

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If you’ve used a Canon printer for any length of time, you’ll know that the printer itself is rarely the biggest expense, it’s the ongoing cost of ink that adds up. For home users who print a mix of documents, school assignments, photos, and the occasional form, choosing the right Canon ink cartridge can make a huge difference to long-term costs. But with Canon offering dozens of cartridge types, plus XL and XXL options, it can be hard to tell which ones actually deliver the best value.

This guide breaks down the most popular Canon ink cartridges used in Australian homes and looks at which ones offer the best balance of price, print quality and yield.

Understanding What “Best Value” Really Means

Before diving into the Canon ink cartridge series, it helps to define value. The cheapest cartridge isn’t always the most cost-effective. When comparing Canon inks, it’s worth looking at:

1. Cost per page

This is the most reliable measure. A cartridge may cost more upfront but last far longer.

2. Print quality and consistency

Important for families who print photos, certificates or colour projects.

3. Compatibility

Some cartridges pair with cheaper printers; others are designed for more premium devices.

4. Availability of XL and XXL versions

These often bring the best long-term savings.

5. Reliability

Canon ink cartridges are known for clog-free performance, but some ranges perform better than others.

With that in mind, let’s look at which Canon cartridges stand out for home use.

PGI/CLI Series: The Most Popular Home Printing Option

If you own a Canon PIXMA printer, there’s a good chance it uses the PGI and CLI cartridge range. These are widely used because they suit everything, including simple document printing, and high-quality photo work.

Why they offer good value:

  • They’re easy to find online and in local stores

  • XL and XXL versions offer significantly better yield

  • Excellent colour accuracy, especially for photos

  • Compatible with many affordable PIXMA home printers

Best picks within the PGI/CLI family:

PGI-680 / CLI-681 series

Used in popular models like the Canon TS and TR series.

  • PGI-680 handles crisp text

  • CLI-681 delivers strong colour reproduction for photos

The XL versions are particularly good value because they often provide nearly double the yield at only a slightly higher cost.

PGI-650 / CLI-651 series

Still common in many Australian households because older PIXMA models remain reliable.

PG-645 / CL-646 Series

Many entry-level Canon printers use the PG-645 and CL-646 cartridges. 

Where they offer value:

  • Low printer purchase price

  • Easy to install and replace

  • Good print quality for light use

If you own a printer that uses these, the XL versions are absolutely worth choosing. They provide far better cost per page and reduce the need for frequent replacements. For households that only print occasionally, this range can be decent value.

Best Value for Photo Printing: Canon’s CLI Photo Packs

Some Canon ink cartridges come in multi-packs designed specifically for photo printing. These usually pair the standard colour inks with additional photo blacks or greys.

Why these offer value for photo users:

  • Much cheaper than purchasing colours individually

  • Designed to work with Canon photo papers

  • Less risk of colours fading over time

  • Ideal for scrapbooking, craft projects or family photo albums

If you print photos at home regularly, choosing a photo multipack often works out far cheaper than buying singles.

So, Which Canon Ink Cartridges Truly Offer the Best Value?

Here’s a simple breakdown based on the type of home printing you do.

For everyday home printing:

PGI-680 / CLI-681 XL
 Reliable, widely available, and excellent value in XL size.

For homes with older PIXMA printers:

PGI-650 / CLI-651 XL
 Still cost-effective and great for a mix of text and colour.

For light or occasional printing:

PG-645 / CL-646 XL
 Ideal if you print once in a while.

For photo enthusiasts:

Canon CLI photo multipacks
 Superior colour depth and cost-effective when printing photos frequently.

How to Make Any Canon Cartridge Go Further

Whichever series you use, a few simple habits can help stretch your ink:

  • Use “Draft” mode for everyday text

  • Print in greyscale to avoid draining colour tanks

  • Turn off the printer properly so the print head doesn’t purge

  • Run a test print only when needed, not every time the printer asks

  • Store spare cartridges upright and sealed to prevent drying

These little adjustments can noticeably extend cartridge life.

Final Thoughts

The “best value” Canon cartridge really depends on the kind of printing you do at home. For most families, the PGI-680/CLI-681 XL range hits the sweet spot by offering high yield, strong print quality and good availability. Light users might prefer the simpler PG-645/CL-646 system, while photo enthusiasts will benefit from Canon’s specialist colour packs.

Whatever you choose, matching the cartridge to your printing habits is the key to keeping costs down without cutting corners on quality.

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