What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA TS5120 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PGI-280 & CLI-281 Ink Cartridges – 280XL, 281XL & XXL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said the TS5120 uses PGI-280/CLI-281 ink tanks. It uses two PG-240/CL-241 FINE cartridges.
CastleScore · October 2026
77/100 — Recommended
Canon PIXMA TS5120
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 82 | About 5.1¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PG-240XXL (600 pages) and CL-241XL (400 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: support code 5100 at power-on that persists after removing cartridges and cleaning the encoder strip |
| 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.
Discontinued. Canon no longer sells the TS5120 new. PG-240 and CL-241 cartridges, including the XL and XXL sizes, are still widely 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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack5206B001 / 5208B001
PG-240XXL Black5204B001 · ~600 pages
PG-240XL Black5206B001 · ~300 pages
CL-241XL Tri-color5208B001 · ~400 pages
PG-240XL + CL-241XL 2-pack
PG-240XXL Black
PG-240XL Black
CL-241XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA TS5120 use?
The Canon PIXMA TS5120 uses two FINE cartridges: one PG-240 black and one CL-241 tri-color (cyan, magenta, and yellow in a single cartridge). High-yield PG-240XL and CL-241XL, plus the extra-high-yield PG-240XXL black, fit the same slots.
For the pros and cons of third-party cartridges, read compatible vs genuine Canon ink.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PG-240 | Black | ~180 pages |
| Canon PG-240XL | Black (high yield) | ~300 pages |
| Canon PG-240XXL | Black (extra-high yield) | ~600 pages |
| Canon CL-241 | Tri-color | ~180 pages |
| Canon CL-241XL | Tri-color (high yield) | ~400 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 TS5120 ink
Standard, XL, or XXL: which should I buy?
For most people, PG-240XL or PG-240XXL black plus CL-241XL color. The XXL black is rated for about 600 pages, more than three times the standard PG-240, so it has the lowest cost per page if you print a lot of text. Only buy standard cartridges if the printer sits idle for months, since ink can dry out before you use it. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PG-240/CL-241 ink?
The same cartridges fit the PIXMA MG2120, MG3120, MG3520, MG3600, MG3620, MX452, MX470, MX472, MX532, MG3220, MG4120, MG4220, MX372, MX392, MX432, MX439, MX459, MX512, MX522, MG2220, MG3122, MG3222 and MG3522. If you own two of these printers, one stock of cartridges covers both.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the TS5120?
No. PG-243/PG-245 and CL-244/CL-246 (used by the PIXMA MG2520 and TS3122) are a smaller cartridge, and PG-210/CL-211 (MX340, MP495) and PG-260/CL-261 (TS5320, TR7020) are different shapes too. None of them will seat in a PG-240/CL-241 printer. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the TS5120?
Yes. Canon doesn't lock out refilled or remanufactured FINE cartridges, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show support code 1686, which means it can't track the ink level in that cartridge. See the support code answer below for how to keep printing. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the TS5120?
With the printer on, lift and open the scanning unit (the cover). Each cartridge is held by its own FINE cartridge locking cover: open the locking cover and lift the old cartridge out. Peel the protective tape off the new cartridge (don't touch the gold contacts or the nozzles), set it in the slot, and push the locking cover down until it snaps shut. Black goes on the right and color on the left. Close the cover and run a nozzle check. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
What does support code 1686 or 1688 mean?
Code 1686 means the printer can no longer estimate how much ink is left, which is normal after a cartridge runs very low or when a refilled or remanufactured cartridge is installed. Press and hold Stop for about 5 seconds to keep printing; this turns off ink-level detection for that cartridge only. Code 1688 means the ink has run out. See Printer error codes explained.
Why are TS5120 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
On this printer the print head is part of each cartridge, so a fresh cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. Before you replace one, run a nozzle check and one or two cleanings from the printer or the Canon driver. If one color is missing from the color cartridge, that color is empty and the whole cartridge needs replacing. Step by step: How to clean Canon printer heads and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.
Does the TS5120 use the same ink as the TS5020?
No. The PIXMA TS5020 uses five PGI-270/CLI-271 tanks, while the TS5120 uses two PG-240/CL-241 cartridges.
Does the TS5120 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 TS5120 print double-sided?
Yes. It supports automatic two-sided printing.
TS5120 key facts
- Type: wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
- Ink: 2 FINE cartridges, PG-240 black + CL-241 color (XL and XXL fit)
- Duplex: automatic
- Connectivity: USB, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Canon PRINT app
- Paper: 100-sheet rear tray plus 100-sheet front cassette
What PIXMA TS5120 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.
It shows support code 1687 after I put in a cartridge.
1687 means a FINE cartridge isn't seated properly. Open the scanning unit, reseat the cartridge, push its locking cover down until it snaps, and close the unit.
What does support code 1890 mean?
Canon says 1890 means protective tape or packing material is still on the cartridge holder. Open the scanning unit and remove anything left over from unpacking.
Support code 5100 at power-on won't clear.
5100 is a carriage error. On Canon's community forum, owners who removed the cartridges and cleaned the encoder strip still couldn't clear it and ended up replacing the printer. Check for anything blocking the cartridge holder first.
Does it have two paper trays?
Yes. A 100-sheet rear tray takes plain paper and up to 20 sheets of 4 × 6 photo paper, and a 100-sheet front cassette holds plain paper.
Can it print square or borderless photos?
Yes. Canon lists 5 × 5 inch square photo paper support, and a borderless 4 × 6 photo takes about 43 seconds.
PIXMA TS5120 quirks worth knowing
- It is one of the few PG-240/CL-241 printers with both a front cassette and a rear tray plus automatic two-sided printing. The older MX and MG models on the same cartridges don't have that combination.
- Canon's U.S. site lists these cartridges by ink volume, not pages: PG-240 8 ml, PG-240XL 15 ml, PG-240XXL 21 ml; CL-241 8 ml, CL-241XL 15 ml. The XXL black holds more than two and a half times the ink of the standard one.
- Besides 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and USB, it has Bluetooth 4.0 LE for pairing with a phone through the Canon PRINT app. There is no Ethernet port.
Other printers that use PG-240 and CL-241
Canon PIXMA MG3620 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · Canon PIXMA MX470 · Canon PIXMA MG3520 · Canon PIXMA MG3120 · Canon PIXMA MG2120 · Canon PIXMA MX472 · Canon PIXMA MX452
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA TS3322 · 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-280 & CLI-281 Ink Cartridges – 280XL, 281XL & XXL? Shop Canon PGI-280 & CLI-281 Ink Cartridges – 280XL, 281XL & XXL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.