What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG5420 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
CastleScore · October 2026
77/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA MG5420
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 2.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-250XL (500 pages) and CLI-251XL colors (about 680 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 64 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi. No document feeder, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
No longer sold new. B&H lists the MG5420 as no longer available. This score rates it for current owners.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
PGI-250XL Black6432B001 · ~500 pages
CLI-251XL Cyan6449B001
CLI-251XL Magenta6450B001
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-pack
PGI-250XL Black
CLI-251XL Cyan
CLI-251XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MG5420 use?
The Canon PIXMA MG5420 uses five individual ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. High-yield PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks fit the same slots, and you replace only the color that runs out.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PGI-250 / PGI-250XL | Pigment black (text) | ~300 / ~500 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL cyan, magenta, yellow | Dye color | ~300–330 / ~660–695 pages each |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL black | Dye black (photos) | ~1,105 / ~4,425 pages |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA MG5420 ink
Standard or XL: which should I buy?
XL. PGI-250XL is rated for about 500 text pages versus 300 for standard, and the CLI-251XL colors roughly double the standard yield, so the cost per page drops sharply. Because the tanks are separate, you can also buy XL only for the colors you use most. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PGI-250/CLI-251 ink?
The five-ink models are the PIXMA MG5520, MG5620, MG6420, MG6620, iP7220, iX6820, MX722, MX922, and MG5422. The six-ink models that add a gray tank are the PIXMA MG6320, MG7120, MG7520, and iP8720. Every size of the shared colors fits all of them, so one stock of cartridges covers several printers.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the MG5420?
No. PGI-270/CLI-271 (used by the PIXMA MG5720, MG6820, and TS5020) and PGI-225/CLI-226 (used by the MG5320 and MG6120) look almost identical but have different chips and notches. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Why are there two black cartridges?
They do different jobs. The larger pigment black (PGI) prints sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The dye black (CLI) is used for photos and glossy paper, where pigment ink would sit on the surface. Both must be installed, and on plain-paper documents the pigment black does most of the work.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the MG5420?
Yes. Our PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks are remanufactured, and using non-Canon tanks doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge and stop showing the ink level for that tank; choose OK or Continue and printing carries on. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the MG5420?
Turn the printer on and open the cover; the print head holder moves to the replacement position. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Remove the new tank from its bag, pull off the orange protective cap, insert it front end first, and press the top until it clicks. Match the color labels on the holder. The tank's lamp lights red when it's seated correctly. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
Why won't the MG5420 recognize a new tank?
Make sure the orange cap and any film are removed, press down on the tank until its lamp lights, and check that it's in the slot with the matching color label. If the lamp stays off, remove the tank, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and power-cycle the printer. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are MG5420 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
The print head is built into the printer, so a clogged nozzle won't be fixed by a new tank alone. Print a nozzle check, run a cleaning, and if gaps remain, a deep cleaning; let the printer rest a few hours if it still streaks. If lines look jagged or doubled rather than faded, align the print head. Guides: How to clean Canon printer heads, Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes, and our print head alignment guide.
Can I keep printing when one tank is empty?
Canon printers stop when a tank runs out. On many models you can override the warning by holding Stop for about 5 seconds, but Canon cautions that printing with an empty tank can damage the built-in print head, so replace it as soon as you can. Keeping a spare pigment black on hand avoids most downtime.
Does the MG5420 work on Wi-Fi?
Yes. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and works with the Canon PRINT app. If it keeps dropping off the network, make sure your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz band. Setup help: How to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.
Does the MG5420 print double-sided?
Yes. It has automatic two-sided printing.
MG5420 key facts
- Type: wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy); flatbed scanner, no document feeder or fax
- Screen: 3.0-inch color LCD
- Extras: CD/DVD printing, dual paper feeding, memory card slots
- Ink: 5 individual tanks, PGI-250 + CLI-251 BK/C/M/Y (XL fits)
- Duplex: automatic
What PIXMA MG5420 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can it print on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. It prints directly on printable CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using the disc tray that comes with it.
Can I keep plain paper and photo paper loaded at the same time?
Yes. Dual paper feeding lets you keep two paper types loaded and pick one per job.
Can I print from an iPhone or iPad?
Yes. It supports Apple AirPrint over Wi-Fi, plus Canon's PIXMA Cloud Link.
Can I print photos straight from a memory card?
Yes. The card slots take SD/SDHC/SDXC, MultiMediaCard and Memory Stick, and you can also scan to a card.
Can I still buy an MG5420 new?
Not easily. B&H lists it as no longer available. The ink is still easy to find, because the same PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks fit many later PIXMA models.
PIXMA MG5420 quirks worth knowing
- The CLI-251 dye black is rated far higher than the pigment black: about 1,105 pages standard and 4,425 XL, against 300 and 500 for the PGI-250. On documents, the PGI-250 is the tank you'll replace most.
- Five tanks add up. At 4inkjets' prices, a set of genuine standard tanks (PGI-250 plus four CLI-251) cost about $91.
- It has no Ethernet port. Connections are Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and USB.
- Retailers don't agree on the color yields: 4inkjets lists 300 standard / 660 XL for each color, TonerBuzz 298–330 standard and 660–695 XL.
Other printers that use PGI-250 and CLI-251
Canon PIXMA iX6820 · Canon PIXMA MX922 · Canon PIXMA iP8720 · Canon PIXMA MG6320 · Canon PIXMA MG6620 · Canon PIXMA MG7520 · Canon PIXMA MG6420 · Canon PIXMA MX722
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL? Shop Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.