Canon CLI-36 Ink Review: Quality vs Cost Verdict
Bold claims around print quality surround the Canon CLI-36 Genuine Color Ink Tank, with Canon marketing touting “35% more high-quality prints” than imitation cartridges and “no strange lines or streaks 100% of the time.” After sifting through community impressions across Amazon, Reddit, and Trustpilot, the verdict lands at 8.5/10 — a strong performer for quality and reliability, but with caveats around cost and yield.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — Highly recommended for users prioritizing image longevity and flawless output, less ideal for high-volume document printing due to price-per-page.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Consistently sharp, vibrant color reproduction | Higher price compared to third-party options |
| Proven compatibility with Pixma mobile printers | Yield may be lower than claimed for mixed photo/text printing |
| Chromalife 100 system protects photos from fading | Limited availability in some regions |
| Reliable — reduced risk of leakage or malfunctions | Special chemical content may concern sensitive users |
| Easy installation and recognition by printer firmware | Not suited for bulk office print jobs |
| Recyclable cartridge return program | Variable page yield reports across platforms |
Claims vs Reality
Canon’s first major claim is that the CLI-36 “produces on average 35% more quality prints than imitation cartridges.” Digging into user feedback, several Amazon buyers echo that genuine ink seems to “last longer before fading” in stored photographs. A verified buyer noted: “Cheap replacements made my images look dull after six months — Canon’s color still pops.” However, while longevity held up, the number of pages per cartridge varied. Reddit user u/PhotoPrintPro*** mentioned: “I don’t think I got anywhere near 249 pages. Maybe half that with mixed photo and text.”
A second claim centers on “consistent quality prints 100% of the time.” On Trustpilot, a customer confirmed: “Never had smears or banding,” even when printing large, high-color documents. This matches multiple community posts describing the ink’s compatibility with Canon’s Fine technology. That said, some buyers found diminished performance when using lower-grade paper stock — the claim seems most accurate when paired with official Canon photo paper as intended.
The third marketing hook leans on “100% reliable… won’t break, leak or fail.” Evidence here is solid: across platforms, few incidents of leakage or cartridge errors appear. Even in eBay listings of new cartridges, sellers emphasize seals are intact. A long-term Reddit thread saw user u/TravelPix*** writing: “Six months in my iP110 and still works like day one — no ink clogs.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Consistency of print quality is the headline win. For photographers or designers needing repeatable results, the CLI-36 delivers. A verified Trustpilot reviewer shared: “Every print looks identical to the one before, critical for client orders.” This is especially valuable for mobile Pixma users who print on-location — event photographers, for instance, avoid re-printing due to color mismatch. Reddit user u/EventShot*** highlighted: “Being able to churn out portable prints without worrying about quality fluctuations is why I pay extra.”
Another universally praised aspect is image longevity with Chromalife 100. Users storing prints for display report minimal fading over years when using Canon photo paper. This reliability pushes the cartridge into the preferred tier for archival jobs, wedding albums, and art prints. Amazon reviewers frequently match this with satisfaction over detail reproduction, pointing to crisp edges and accurate gradients.
Ease of installation gets attention, too. With Canon firmware detecting genuine ink instantly, mobile users avoid lock-out messages. A freelancer on Reddit noted: “Pop it in my TR150 at a client site, and I’m printing in seconds. No warnings, no fiddling.”
Common Complaints
Price draws repeated criticism. While the official yield under ISO/IEC standards is up to 249 A4 pages, real-world results vary, making cost-per-page higher than many want. In high-volume scenarios, such as printing hundreds of flyers, this adds up quickly. A frustrated Amazon buyer calculated: “I’d be paying triple compared to my old third-party inks.”
Availability issues also plague certain regions. Multiple EU store listings show “out of stock online,” prompting some customers to resort to importing from other countries with added shipping costs. The chemical composition — specifically the presence of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one — sparked concern among users sensitive to allergens, though Canon lists hazard components as under 30%.
A subtler complaint involves the yield gap between official ratings and actual results with photo-heavy jobs. Trustpilot feedback implies that continuous printing tests may inflate realistic expectations: “If all I printed were A4 text docs, maybe I’d get 249 pages. In the real world, full-bleed photos eat ink faster.”
Divisive Features
Sustainability through Canon’s free cartridge recycling program wins praise from eco-minded users but gets shrugged off by others focused purely on operational costs. For some, the environmental benefit reinforces their willingness to pay for genuine parts. For others, cost is still the barrier.
Another split emerges around pairing with Canon paper. Users who invest in official stock see results matching Canon’s marketing, while those using generic paper tolerate slight drops in vibrancy and sharpness. Reddit discussions suggest those satisfied with third-party paper save money and still find quality “good enough.”
Trust & Reliability
Across Trustpilot and Reddit, long-term use cases provide confidence. Canon’s genuine labeling consistently matches performance over months, with minimal clogging issues — critical for mobile printers that may sit idle between assignments. One Trustpilot customer recounted: “Stored my iP100 in a closet for three months; the first print back was flawless.”
The absence of scam concerns is notable. eBay sellers predominantly list sealed, new cartridges, often with high feedback scores. While counterfeit third-party cartridges flood broader markets, no clear patterns of fake CLI-36 sales emerged in community warnings.
Alternatives
The most common alternative users discuss is third-party replacement cartridges, usually priced at a fraction of the Canon CLI-36. While some find them “good enough” for casual document printing, they often fail in professional contexts due to shorter image longevity and occasional streaking. Amazon reviewers note that imitation inks are prone to color shift over time. A Reddit user experimenting with clones summarized: “Fine for school reports, terrible for client photography.”
Canon’s PGI-35 black cartridge, often sold alongside the CLI-36, is mentioned for simultaneous replacement when aiming for consistent quality in color and monochrome prints.
Price & Value
Official store listings vary regionally: €17.99 in Ireland, NOK 210 in Norway, DKK 140 in Denmark, with eBay offers as low as $10.85 plus shipping. Resale value holds moderately well — unopened cartridges fetch close to retail months after purchase, especially in regions suffering stock shortages.
Community tips to stretch value include printing in draft mode for non-critical documents and strictly pairing with Canon photo paper to maximize yield for high-detail images. Bulk buyers often seek bundled deals with PGI-35 or multi-pack listings to offset shipping costs.
FAQ
Q: Is the Canon CLI-36 compatible with the Pixma TR150?
A: Yes. Official listings confirm full compatibility, including TR150 models with and without the battery kit.
Q: Can I use this cartridge with non-Canon paper?
A: You can, but users report optimal performance and longevity only when paired with Canon’s own photo paper.
Q: How many pages can it print?
A: Canon rates it at up to 249 A4 pages under ISO/IEC standards, though user reports suggest lower yields for photo-heavy jobs.
Q: Does the CLI-36 contain hazardous materials?
A: It contains trace amounts of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, which may trigger allergic responses in sensitive individuals.
Q: Is there a recycling program?
A: Yes. Canon offers a free return program for used cartridges, promoting reuse and environmental benefits.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a photographer, designer, or event professional who values pristine, fade-resistant output from your Canon Pixma mobile printer. Avoid if your primary need is bulk text document printing at the lowest possible cost. Pro tip from community: pair with genuine PGI-35 black ink and Canon photo paper for output that “lasts a lifetime” in quality and color fidelity.
