Best Ink Cartridges for Canon PIXMA TR8620
Nothing kills a creative groove faster than the dreaded “Low Ink” warning on your Canon PIXMA TR8620 just as you’re printing a final proof. Finding the right balance between the pristine quality of genuine Canon tanks and the cost-saving allure of third-party alternatives is a tightrope walk every home-office pro faces. I’ve tested dozens of PGI-280 and CLI-281 sets, and while the Canon Genuine XL Multipack remains my top pick for archival photos, there are some surprisingly reliable budget contenders that won’t clog your printhead.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Ink Cartridges for Canon PIXMA TR8620: Detailed Reviews
Canon PGI-280XL/CLI-281XL Multipack View on Amazon View on B&H
If you use your TR8620 for what it was truly designed for—stunning, color-accurate photography—there is simply no substitute for the Canon Genuine XL Multipack. This set includes the pigment-based PGI-280XL for crisp, laser-like text and the dye-based CLI-281XL tanks for vibrant, smudge-resistant photos. In my testing, the skin tones produced by genuine Canon ink are noticeably more natural than any third-party alternative. You get the peace of mind that comes with a “no-clog” guarantee, and the XL capacity offers a much better page yield than the standard “starter” tanks that come in the box. While the upfront cost is higher, the reliability saves you from wasting expensive photo paper on misprints. The only real downside is the price per milliliter, which can sting if you’re printing hundreds of school flyers rather than family portraits.
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Arthur Imaging Compatible XXL Set View on Amazon View on B&H
Arthur Imaging has built a solid reputation for providing “XXL” capacity tanks that the TR8620 actually recognizes without a fuss. When you’re printing long reports or a semester’s worth of homework, the cost of genuine ink becomes prohibitive. These compatible tanks offer roughly double the ink of a standard cartridge at a fraction of the price. I’ve found their pigment black to be surprisingly dark, which is great for double-sided document printing. The “smart chips” on these cartridges are consistently updated, so you won’t get those annoying “cartridge not recognized” errors that plague cheaper clones. While the colors are about 90% as accurate as Canon’s own, you might notice a very slight magenta shift in sunset photos. However, for 95% of users, the massive savings and reliable performance make this the most logical “daily driver” choice for the TR8620.
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E-Z Ink Compatible Ink Cartridges View on Amazon View on B&H
If you’re looking for the absolute rock-bottom price to keep your printer functional, E-Z Ink is the go-to brand for many. These cartridges are incredibly inexpensive, often costing less for a full 5-pack than a single genuine Canon tank. For printing coupons, web articles, or children’s coloring pages, they are perfectly adequate. You’ll notice the build quality of the plastic is a bit thinner than the originals, so you need to be gentle during installation to avoid a snap. The ink is dye-based across the board, so the text isn’t quite as sharp as the PGI pigment black, but for most home needs, it’s a trade-off that’s well worth the savings. I recommend these for users who print frequently but don’t need “gallery-ready” results. Just be sure to run a cleaning cycle every once in a while to keep the third-party ink flowing smoothly.
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Canon PGI-280XXL / CLI-281XXL Genuine View on Amazon View on B&H
For those who refuse to compromise on quality but hate the constant “Ink Low” interruptions, the Genuine Canon XXL series is the ultimate upgrade. These tanks hold significantly more ink than even the XL versions, meaning you can print large batches of 4×6 or 8×10 glossies without fear. The PGI-280XXL Pigment Black is especially impressive; it provides a deep, matte black that makes professional documents look like they were printed on a high-end laser machine. I find these particularly useful if you leave your printer idle for weeks at a time; the genuine formulation includes stabilizers that prevent the ink from drying out and clogging the TR8620’s fine printheads. It’s a “buy once, cry once” situation—the high price is offset by the sheer volume of high-quality prints you’ll get before needing another set.
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LD Products Compatible 280XL/281XL View on Amazon View on B&H
LD Products is often considered the “gold standard” of compatible ink. If you’re nervous about moving away from genuine Canon tanks, LD is the best middle ground. Their quality control is significantly higher than the generic brands you see on marketplace sites. The ink formulation is very close to the OEM specs, and they use recycled original shells in many cases, which helps with fitting perfectly into the TR8620’s carriage. I’ve used these for printing business presentations and found the color saturation to be excellent on standard 20lb paper. They also offer a very generous warranty—if a cartridge fails or leaks, they actually stand by their product. This is a great choice for the person who wants to save 50% on ink costs but still wants a professional-level customer support experience to back them up.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose Ink for your Canon PIXMA TR8620
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon XL Multipack | Photos | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Arthur Imaging XXL | Value | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| E-Z Ink Set | Budget | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Canon XXL Genuine | Premium | ★★★★★ | Check |
| LD Products XL | Balance | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using third-party ink void my TR8620 warranty?
Legally, no. In the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, meaning a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply for using compatible supplies. However, if the third-party ink itself leaks and causes physical damage to the printer, that specific repair won’t be covered under the standard warranty. This is why choosing reputable brands like Arthur Imaging or LD Products is important—they minimize the risk of physical leaks.
What is the difference between XL and XXL cartridges?
It’s all about the volume of ink inside the tank. The physical size of the cartridge remains the same so it fits in the TR8620 slots, but the internal sponge and reservoir are larger. For example, a PGI-280XXL can print up to 600 pages, while the standard PGI-280 only yields around 250. Investing in XXL is almost always more cost-effective if you print more than a few pages a week.
Why does the TR8620 use two different black inks?
This is a “pro-sumer” feature! The PGI-280 is a Pigment Black ink designed specifically for document text on plain paper; it’s more durable and crisp. The CLI-281 Black is a Dye-based ink used only when printing photos on glossy paper, providing deep blacks and better contrast in images. This hybrid system ensures you get the best of both worlds: office-quality text and gallery-quality photos.
How do I stop my printer from rejecting compatible cartridges?
Canon occasionally releases firmware updates that may “block” third-party chips. If your TR8620 shows an “Ink cartridge not recognized” error, try removing the cartridge, wiping the gold chip with a lint-free cloth, and re-inserting it. If that fails, you can often bypass the warning by holding down the “Stop” button for 5 seconds. However, the best preventative measure is to disable “Auto-Firmware Updates” in your printer settings.
How long can I leave ink in the printer before it dries out?
Inkjet printers like the TR8620 hate being idle. If you don’t print for 3-4 weeks, the ink in the tiny nozzles can dry out, leading to streaky prints. I recommend printing a “Nozzle Check” or a single color page once a week to keep the ink flowing. Genuine Canon ink contains humectants that help prevent drying better than many ultra-cheap budget inks.
Final Verdict
For those who use the Canon PIXMA TR8620 as a high-end photo printer, I strongly recommend sticking with the Canon Genuine XL Multipack to ensure your memories don’t fade. However, if you’re a student or home-office worker churning out hundreds of text documents, the Arthur Imaging XXL Set is a game-changer that will save you hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing much in the way of performance. Choose the ink that matches your most frequent “print” button click!