# TLDR Review: Canon CLI-251XL Ink Pack

*Published: 2025-02-19 | Updated: 2025-02-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/canon-cli-251xl-ink-pack*

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## Verdict

The Canon CLI-251XL 3-Ink Value Pack offers vibrant colors and sharp prints, making it ideal for photographers and quality-minded users. However, its high cost, frequent cartridge replacements, and potential leakage issues make it less appealing for those seeking economical printing solutions. Users looking for better value may want to explore Canon's Megatank printers as an economical alternative.

**Top pro:** Canon inks provide accurate and beautiful colors, especially for photography and floral subjects.
**Top con:** High ink consumption; XL cartridges deplete quickly, even with minimal photo printing.

## Product: Canon CLI-251XL Ink Pack
**Brand:** Canon
[Compare prices and price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/canon-cli-251xl-ink-pack)

## Pros
- Canon inks provide accurate and beautiful colors, especially for photography and floral subjects.
- Produces high-quality, clear, and colorful images, as well as sharp text and documents.
- Consistent satisfaction with Canon inks over several years.
- Excellent for printing photos and includes a special tray for inkjet printable CDs and DVDs.
- Ink consistently performs well without issues over time.

## Cons
- High ink consumption; XL cartridges deplete quickly, even with minimal photo printing.
- Leakage issues when unwrapping replacement cartridges, resulting in ink-covered hands.
- Ink prices are considered outrageously high, with cartridges not lasting long enough.
- Packaging does not include all 6 cartridges required for the printer, necessitating multiple purchases.
- Frustration over the gray cartridge not being included in multi-packs and not readily available at local stores.
- Issues with the authenticity of cartridges, leading to printer errors like B200.
- Users feel misled by the cartridge's design, which includes unnecessary sponges, reducing usable ink.
- Excessive warming and cleaning cycles waste significant ink.
- Overall dissatisfaction with costs, suggesting alternatives like Megatank printers for better operating costs.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Canon inks provide accurate and beautiful colors, especially for photography and floral subjects. | High ink consumption; XL cartridges deplete quickly, even with minimal photo printing. |
| Produces high-quality, clear, and colorful images, as well as sharp text and documents. | Leakage issues when unwrapping replacement cartridges, resulting in ink-covered hands. |
| Consistent satisfaction with Canon inks over several years. | Ink prices are considered outrageously high, with cartridges not lasting long enough. |
| Excellent for printing photos and includes a special tray for inkjet printable CDs and DVDs. | Packaging does not include all 6 cartridges required for the printer, necessitating multiple purchases. |
| Ink consistently performs well without issues over time. | Frustration over the gray cartridge not being included in multi-packs and not readily available at local stores. |
|  | Issues with the authenticity of cartridges, leading to printer errors like B200. |
|  | Users feel misled by the cartridge's design, which includes unnecessary sponges, reducing usable ink. |
|  | Excessive warming and cleaning cycles waste significant ink. |
|  | Overall dissatisfaction with costs, suggesting alternatives like Megatank printers for better operating costs. |

## Last Seen Prices

*Each price is the last one ShopSavvy observed, on 2025-02-19; it may have changed since.*

| Retailer | Price | Availability | Last seen |
|----------|-------|-------------|-----------|
| [Amazon](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/1aOYekJc8WVS9vPAWFSB/offers/deb5d847-25d9-adcd-38bb-f628414649a3?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $60.00  | In Stock | 2025-02-19 (may have changed) |

[See every retailer and the full price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/canon-cli-251xl-ink-pack)

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*About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data (each price shows when it was last seen).*

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