The Canon PIXMA TS3450 is a budget-friendly home inkjet. The printer itself is affordable — but your long-term cost depends on what cartridges you buy and how quickly those cartridges empty.
This model is commonly sold with PG-545 (black) and CL-546 (colour) cartridges. If you stick with standard yield, the cost per page can rise quickly. The right strategy is to understand the numbers and choose the cartridge option that matches your printing habits.
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
For Canon, compatible cartridges are widely available from multiple UK suppliers.
Rough savings (rule-of-thumb):
- Compatible PG-545 / CL-546 often cost ~35–50% less than genuine pricing
- XL compatible options often reduce cost per page enough to make the printer feel more “reasonable”
If you’re budget-driven: buy compatibles for everyday prints, and keep originals for important jobs.
Should you upgrade?
Honest verdict: keep it unless you’re printing considerably more than typical home use.
2-year cost comparison
- Assumption: ~80 pages/month (midpoint of recommended range)
- Keep option: XL cartridges (best value)
- Upgrade option: EcoTank ET-2850-style running economics
| Option | What you pay over 2 years |
|---|---|
| Keep Canon TS3450 (ink only, XL cartridges) | ~£128 |
| Upgrade to an EcoTank (hardware + tank ink) | ~£255 |
EcoTank upgrades usually win after roughly ~165 pages/month (because the upfront hardware price needs to be paid back).
FAQ
Q: What ink does the Canon PIXMA TS3450 use?
A: It uses PG-545 (black) and CL-546 (colour) cartridges.
Q: Is the Canon PIXMA TS3450 expensive to run?
A: It can be if you buy standard yield repeatedly. Using XL cartridges (and/or compatibles) is the key cost-control lever.
Q: What’s the cheapest ink for the TS3450?
A: Compatible PG-545 / CL-546 options are typically the cheapest. XL compatible cartridges often provide the lowest cost per page.
Q: Should I buy XL cartridges for this printer?
A: If you print more than occasional home documents, XL usually pays off in cost per page.
