When you're wondering how long ink cartridges last in the Canon PIXMA TR8620a, it's not a one-size-fits-all answer. Based on our research, it really depends on your printing habits, like how often you're printing and whether it's mostly documents, photos, or a mix of both.
The printer uses a five-cartridge system—black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and photo blue—according to the manufacturer's description. This setup helps you get the most out of your ink depending on what you're working on. If you're mostly printing text-heavy documents, you'll probably notice the black cartridge runs out faster.
Now, original Canon cartridges are usually the best bet for quality and they tend to last pretty well. They're made to work seamlessly with Canon printers, but they don't come cheap. That's why some folks opt for third-party inks to save a bit of cash. From our data, it seems many have used third-party inks in the TR8620a without major issues, though you might need to do a bit of tweaking like print head cleaning or color calibration to keep things running smoothly.
As for how long the cartridges last, it varies. If you're printing occasionally, your ink can last a while. But for more frequent or photo-heavy printing, you'll likely need replacements more often. Most users find they're swapping out cartridges every few months with moderate use, but this can change based on what exactly you're printing.
So, if your printing is mostly for day-to-day stuff or non-critical photos, third-party inks might work just fine. But if you really need accurate colors and longer-lasting prints, investing in Canon's original cartridges might be worth the cost.
