LM2596 has a minimum load requirement to stay in regulation, before
it goes into discontinuous mode operation, also a f() of the L value used
and other parameters. So use wisely, you could damage circuits if load was
dropped with some circuits still connected to it.
Also efficiency various with output V -
Data sheet discusses these issues.
Three terminal regulators have thermal and short circuit protection, easy
to use and apply, and low noise if thats of concern. If using LDOs pay
attention to ESR of output caps, some have a min esr requirement to stay
stable. Also discussed in datasheets.
Regards, Dana.