TLDR Review: Canon PGI-280XL/CLI-281 Combo Pack
Verdict
The Canon PGI-280XL PGBK/CLI-281CMY, 50 Sheets PP-301 Combo Pack offers high-quality printing with bright, sharp colors, making it an appealing option for those with moderate printing needs. However, the cost of ink and limited capacity of color cartridges might be a drawback for frequent users. If cost and capacity are concerns, you might consider exploring a laser printer for more demanding printing tasks.
- Top pro:
- Separate cartridges for primary colors prevent waste by allowing you to replace only the empty color.
- Top con:
- Ink cartridges are expensive and have limited capacity.
Pros
- •Separate cartridges for primary colors prevent waste by allowing you to replace only the empty color.
- •XL ink cartridges provide a higher yield and are cost-effective in the long run.
- •The combo pack includes 50 sheets of 4"x6" photo paper, ideal for smaller printing needs.
- •Produces bright colors with sharp edges, even on inexpensive paper.
- •Consistently high ink quality results in excellent printing pages.
- •Appreciated ability to customize the cartridge order, avoiding purchase of unnecessary items.
- •Strong performance with past Canon printers suggests this product is reliable.
- •Frequent purchases reflect reliability and overall satisfaction with the product.
Cons
- •Ink cartridges are expensive and have limited capacity.
- •Color ink runs out quickly, with no XL capacity available for color cartridges.
- •Some online orders resulted in cartridges registering as only half or one-third full.
- •Required to buy a complete set of ink to replace only two colors, which may be inconvenient.
- •The pricing strategy seems focused on profit, not consumer consideration.
- •Price increases over time, despite high quality.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from 16 retailers in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen Jul 5, 2026.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price | Last seen | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45.98 | Sep 2, 2024 may have changed | ||
| $45.99 | Sep 2, 2024 may have changed | ||
| $60.32 | Sep 2, 2024 may have changed | ||
| $62.95 | Sep 2, 2024 may have changed | ||
| $66.00 | Sep 2, 2024 may have changed |
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
