What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MX330 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MX330 uses two cartridges: a PG-210 black and a CL-211 tri-color. The high-yield PG-210XL and CL-211XL fit too. Castle Ink stocks remanufactured PG-210XL Black and CL-211XL Color, and a combo pack with one of each.
The MX330 takes the same cartridges as the PIXMA MX340, which added Wi-Fi, and the MX410, MP250, MP280 and MP480. Versions of this printer sold in Europe and the UK are reported to take PG-510 and CL-511 instead, so buy cartridges sold for the U.S.
CastleScore · October 2026
71/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA MX330
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | Pocket-lint: 3/5. PCWorld, The Register and Trusted Reviews also reviewed it, without numeric scores we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 81 | About 5.5¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-210XL (401 pages) and CL-211XL (349 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 80 | Most-reported problems: U051/U052 'cartridge not recognized' errors; U162/U163 ink-level warnings after refills; 5100 carriage errors from jams; 5B00 'ink absorber full', with Canon support retired; drivers hard to find for current computers |
| Features (12%) | 60 | Print, copy, scan, color fax, 30-sheet document feeder, 1.8-inch color LCD, PictBridge / USB key port. USB only. No Wi-Fi, no Ethernet, no auto two-sided printing, no memory card slots. |
| 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.
Discontinued and retired. Canon launched the MX330 in 2009, and PCWorld reviewed it that May at $110. Canon now lists it as retired, with no further support. PG-210 and CL-211 cartridges are still sold.
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 24, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PG-210XL + CL-211XL comboBlack + Tri-color · high yield
PG-210XL Black2973B001 · ~401 pages
CL-211XL Color2975B001 · ~349 pages
PG-210XL + CL-211XL combo
PG-210XL Black
CL-211XL ColorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the Canon PIXMA MX330 Take?
| Cartridge | Canon part no. | Approx. yield | Castle Ink option |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG-210 Black | 2974B001 | ~220 pages | — |
| PG-210XL Black | 2973B001 | ~401 pages | Remanufactured PG-210XL Black |
| CL-211 Color | 2976B001 | ~244 pages | — |
| CL-211XL Color | 2975B001 | ~349 pages | Remanufactured CL-211XL Color |
Yields come from PCWorld's review and 4inkjets' listings. Canon also sold a 2-pack of the XL cartridges with photo paper (2973B004).
Is XL Worth It?
Yes. The PG-210XL prints about 401 pages instead of about 220, and the CL-211XL about 349 instead of 244. PCWorld called the black ink expensive and put the cost of a color page with standard cartridges at about 16¢. On October 24, 2026, Staples listed Canon's PG-210XL at $39.99 (about 10¢ a page) and the CL-211XL at $46.99, and 123inkjets had the standard PG-210 at $21.62 and CL-211 at $28.70. Our remanufactured PG-210XL is $19.95, about 5¢ a page, and the CL-211XL is $21.95. The combo pack is $35.99, less than the two singles.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the Canon PIXMA MX330?
- With the power on, open the paper output tray, then lift the scanning unit until it locks. The cartridge holder moves to the center.
- Push the empty cartridge down until it clicks, then lift it out.
- Take the new cartridge out of its pack and peel off the orange protective tape. Don't touch the contacts or the nozzles.
- Insert it at a slant into the holder, black on the right and color on the left, and push it up until it clicks.
- Close the scanning unit and wait for the printer to finish starting up.
Which Other Printers Use PG-210 and CL-211?
The PIXMA iP2702, MP240, MP250, MP258, MP270, MP280, MP282, MP480, MP490, MP495, MX320, MX340, MX350, MX360, MX410 and MX420.
What PIXMA MX330 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer in Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Does the MX330 have Wi-Fi?
No. It connects over USB only. Bluetooth needs an optional adapter. The MX340 is the Wi-Fi version.
Can it print or scan two-sided?
No. Two-sided printing is manual, and the 30-sheet document feeder scans one side at a time.
Do the XL cartridges fit?
Yes. Staples and 4inkjets list the PG-210XL and CL-211XL for the MX330.
It says U051 or U052, cartridge not recognized.
Take the cartridge out, check that all the tape is off, and wipe the contacts gently with a dry, lint-free cloth. Put it back until it clicks, and make sure it's a PG-210 or CL-211 cartridge in the right slot.
PIXMA MX330 quirks worth knowing
- Canon rates it at about 7.5 pages a minute in black and 4.5 in color, and a borderless 4x6 in about 45 seconds.
- The color fax runs at 33.6 Kbps, stores about 50 pages in memory and has 20 speed dials.
- The 30-sheet document feeder takes legal-size paper. Canon says the rear sheet feeder holds 100 sheets; PCWorld counted 150.
- It has a 1.8-inch color screen and a PictBridge / USB key port for scanning to a flash drive, but no memory card slots and no CD printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ink does the Canon PIXMA MX330 use?
PG-210 or PG-210XL black and CL-211 or CL-211XL color.
Does the MX330 use the same ink as the MX340?
Yes. Both take PG-210 and CL-211, standard or XL.
Does the MX330 have a memory card reader?
No. It has a PictBridge / USB key port only.
Other printers that use PG-210 and CL-211
Canon PIXMA MX340 · Canon PIXMA MX410 · Canon PIXMA MP250 · Canon PIXMA MP280 · Canon PIXMA MP480
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 24, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon ink cartridges? Shop Canon ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.