Canon PIXMA MP160 Ink Cartridges
Your Canon PIXMA MP160 uses the PG-40 / CL-41 cartridge series, operating on a classic two-cartridge delivery system that houses dedicated black ink separate from a combined multi-colour unit. We have been supplying replacement consumables for this printer since Jun 2026, supporting home users who rely on stable, everyday print performance. Our 4.8 Google rating is built on dependable cartridge performance and uncompromising product quality. Because this configuration depends on an all-in-one tri-colour unit, standard colour depletion patterns dictate that when one primary ink shade runs empty, the entire multi-colour cartridge requires full replacement.
Expected page output and replacement cycles
Anticipating how long these cartridges last in real use requires assessing your normal family printing habits. The black PG-40 and high-capacity PG-50 units are deployed for text-heavy sheets, while the CL-41 and high-capacity CL-51 variants render mixed graphics. Document print yields for this legacy inkjet family are checked under the structured ISO/IEC 24711 standard, establishing an objective benchmark for verifying output performance across standard text coverage patterns.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG-50 | High Yield | Black | 510 | $0.11 |
| PG-40 | High Yield | Black | 329 | $0.13 |
| CL-51 | High Yield | Colour | 545 | $0.050 |
| CL-41 | High Yield | Colour | 312 | $0.15 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Genuine cartridges.
Choosing between genuine and compatible options
Utilising generic replacement cartridges provides an excellent avenue for mitigating high household printing costs over time. Many domestic settings employ concurrent configurations where a genuine black tank and a compatible multi-colour tank run side by side without technical issues. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. To inspect real-world print stability comparisons and component details, you can view our informational article on our genuine vs compatible cartridges blog post.
Best way to stock these cartridges
Securing value-packed bundles represents the most cost-effective approach to prevent unexpected interruptions during domestic or school printing tasks. If your household handles predominantly monochrome letter or homework printing, maintaining a spare black cartridge alongside your main multi-pack bundle establishes a more practical supply routine. Every alternative compatible tank we ship is supported by a comprehensive money-back guarantee, ensuring your total peace of mind. Review our full return conditions on our dedicated returns policy page. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply), with shipments leaving daily from regional distribution hubs situated in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Browse broader purchase options by checking our main Canon ink cartridges catalog page.
Pro Tip
The Canon PIXMA MP160 utilises specialised fine integrated printhead technology, meaning a brand-new mechanical printhead is integrated directly onto the base of every PG-40, PG-50, CL-41, and CL-51 cartridge. If your printer has been left unused for extended intervals and generates broken text lines, installing a fresh replacement cartridge completely swaps out the old ink nozzles, entirely clearing stubborn blockages that basic printer cleaning cycles cannot resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I change the entire tri-colour cartridge if only my cyan ink has run out?
The CL-41 and high-capacity CL-51 multi-colour cartridges contain three separate internal ink reservoirs holding cyan, magenta, and yellow inside a single integrated piece of printer. When a specific colour is utilised more frequently during graphic output, that single chamber will run dry first, necessitating a complete replacement of the unit to restore accurate rendering.
Can I use high-capacity PG-50 and CL-51 cartridges if my printer originally came with PG-40 and CL-41?
Yes, the high-capacity PG-50 black and CL-51 colour cartridges share identical external physical dimensions and locking clips as the standard PG-40 and CL-41 models. They slot perfectly into the same carriage bays but are engineered with an altered internal design that holds a larger volume of ink to deliver more prints.
Will the printer function if I remove the empty colour cartridge and attempt to print text using only black?
No, the Canon PIXMA MP160 requires two operational cartridges completing the electronic circuit inside the carriage track before it will proceed with any command. Removing a cartridge or leaving a non-communicating empty unit in place will trip a printer error code, locking down operation until both slots are correctly occupied.
