The MG3650S is built for everyday home use: print, copy, scan, and occasional colour documents. But like most cartridge-based inkjets, the real “gotcha” is the ink cost over time.
This printer is commonly associated with PG-545 (black) and CL-546 (colour). The simplest way to stay in control is to compare standard vs XL yield and understand what your cost per page actually becomes.
Running cost breakdown
| Cartridge option | Yield (pages) | Typical UK price | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG-545 Black (Standard) | ~180 | ~£12.99 | ~7.2p |
| PG-545XL Black (XL) | ~400 | ~£21.99 | ~5.5p |
| CL-546 Colour (Standard) | ~180 | ~£15.99 | ~8.9p |
| CL-546XL Colour (XL) | ~300 | ~£27.99 | ~9.3p |
Compatible ink alternatives
Canon-compatible ink is widely available, including brands sold by major ink suppliers.
Rule-of-thumb savings:
- Compatible cartridges are often ~35–50% cheaper
- The best “value combo” is usually XL-compatible for your most-used cartridges
Should you upgrade?
Honest verdict: keep it for typical home volumes.
2-year cost comparison
- Assumption: ~80 pages/month
- Keep option: XL cartridges
- Upgrade option: EcoTank ET-2850-style tank economics
| Option | What you pay over 2 years |
|---|---|
| Keep Canon MG3650S (ink only, XL cartridges) | ~£128 |
| Upgrade to an EcoTank (hardware + tank ink) | ~£255 |
EcoTank upgrades usually become clearly worth it after around ~165 pages/month.
FAQ
Q: What ink does the Canon PIXMA MG3650S use?
A: It uses PG-545 (black) and CL-546 (colour) cartridges.
Q: Is the Canon PIXMA MG3650S expensive to run?
A: Not necessarily — but it can get expensive if you buy standard cartridges too often. XL and/or compatibles reduce the cost per page.
Q: What’s the cheapest ink for the MG3650S?
A: Compatible PG-545 / CL-546 cartridges are usually the lowest-cost option, especially in XL form.
Q: Should I buy XL cartridges for this printer?
A: If you print regularly, yes. XL cartridges typically give better value per page than standard yield.
