Verdicts
| Candidate | Verdict | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| onsemi LM2596 | Drop-in (conditions) | Higher minimum input for 5 V out (about 7.1 V at 25 °C, about 7.3 V over temperature); R1 1–5 kΩ; ON/OFF 1.0/2.2 V |
| XLSEMI XL2596 | Drop-in (conditions) | EN thresholds are typical only (0.8/1.4 V); EN floating = on |
| XLSEMI XL1509 | New layout | SOP-8, different pinout, 2 A |
TI LM2596 vs onsemi LM2596
| Item | TI (SNVS124G) | onsemi (LM2596/D Rev 1) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinout (TO-220/TO-263) | 1 VIN, 2 Output, 3 GND, 4 FB, 5 ON/OFF | Same | Same |
| VIN operating / abs max | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | Same |
| Operating TJ | −40 to 125 °C | −40 to 125 °C; absolute maximum 150 °C | Same |
| VFB | 1.193–1.267 V | 1.193–1.267 V | Same |
| Oscillator | 127/150/173 kHz at 25 °C; 110–173 kHz over temperature | 135/150/165 kHz at 25 °C; 120–180 kHz over temperature | Tighter at 25 °C only |
| Saturation at 3 A | 1.16 / 1.4 V at 25 °C; 1.5 V max over temperature | 1.5 / 1.8 V at 25 °C; 2.0 V max over temperature | Higher: more heat, higher VIN,min |
| Max duty cycle | 100% | 95% (typical only) | Limits low-headroom use |
| Current limit | 3.6/4.5/6.9 A | 4.2/5.6/6.9 A | OK |
| ON/OFF thresholds | on at or below 0.6 V, off at or above 2.0 V | VIL 1.0 V, VIH 2.2 V at 25 °C | 0 V, 3.3 V and 5 V logic work for both |
| Recommended R1 | 240 Ω–1.5 kΩ | 1–5 kΩ | 1 kΩ fits both |
| RθJA TO-220 | 50 °C/W | 65 °C/W (D2PAK 70) | Runs hotter |
TI LM2596 vs XLSEMI XL2596
| Item | TI | XL2596 (Ta = 25 °C only) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinout | 1 VIN, 2 Output, 3 GND, 4 FB, 5 ON/OFF | 1 VIN, 2 SW, 3 GND, 4 FB, 5 EN | Same function, different names |
| VIN operating / abs max | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | Same |
| VFB | 1.193–1.267 V | 1.193/1.23/1.267 V | Same |
| Oscillator | 127–173 kHz | 127/150/173 kHz | Same |
| Saturation at 3 A | 1.16 / 1.4 V | 1.3 / 1.5 V | Slightly higher |
| Max duty cycle | 100% | 100% | Same |
| Current limit | 3.6/4.5/6.9 A | 3.6/4.8/6.9 A | Same range |
| EN / ON-OFF | active-low, guaranteed 0.6 / 2.0 V | active-low, typical 0.8 / 1.4 V; floating = on | Drive EN firmly to GND or at least 3.3 V |
| Output formula | 1.23 × (1 + R2/R1) | Same, R1 about 1 kΩ | Same |
| Operating TJ | −40 to 125 °C | −40 to 125 °C | Same |
| RθJA | TO-220 50 °C/W | 30 °C/W (maker’s condition) | Not directly comparable |
TI LM2596 vs XLSEMI XL1509
| Item | TI | XL1509 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package / pinout | TO-220/TO-263, 5 pins | SOP-8: 1 VIN, 2 SW, 3 FB, 4 EN, 5–8 GND | Not compatible |
| Output current | 3 A | 2 A | Lower |
| VIN operating / abs max | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | 4.5–40 V / 45 V | Same |
| Saturation | 1.16 / 1.4 V at 3 A | 1.2 / 1.4 V at 2 A | — |
| Oscillator | 127–173 kHz | 127–173 kHz | Same |
| RθJA | TO-220 50 °C/W | 100 °C/W | Much hotter per watt |
5 V output at 3 A
Formulas are on the LM2596-ADJ calculator.
| 5 V output, 3 A | TI | XL2596 | onsemi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum VIN, 25 °C (max VSAT, Dmax) | 6.4 V | 6.5 V | 7.09 V |
| Minimum VIN, full temperature | 6.5 V | not specified | 7.29 V |
| Conduction loss at 12 V in (typ VSAT) | about 1.69 W | about 1.92 W | about 2.25 W |
Minimum VIN assumes VD = 0.5 V. The onsemi full-temperature figure (7.29 V, Vsat ≈ 2.0 V) uses the typical 95% max duty cycle because onsemi gives no minimum. It is not a guaranteed worst-case VIN,min. Leave extra margin.
The same feedback divider works on all three: R1 1 kΩ, R2 3.09 kΩ gives 5.031 V typical.
Pitfalls
- XL2596 EN only has typical thresholds. Do not drive it from a weak or mid-level signal.
- onsemi parts can drop out at 7 V in / 5 V out. With Vsat ≈ 2.0 V over temperature and 95% typical max duty (not a guaranteed worst case; VD = 0.5 V assumed), the estimated minimum input is about 7.29 V.
- XL1509 is not an SOP version of the LM2596. It is a 2 A part with θJA 100 °C/W on a different footprint.
- A module marked “LM2596” is not necessarily TI. Check before relying on maker-specific specs.
Part numbers
TI LM2596S-ADJ / LM2596T-ADJ. onsemi LM2596TADJG / LM2596DSADJR4G. XLSEMI XL2596S-ADJE1 / XL2596T-ADJE1. XLSEMI XL1509 (SOP-8; adjustable and fixed versions are listed in the ordering table). Information only.
Disclaimer
Comparisons use the manufacturer datasheets above, as read on 26 Oct 2026. XLSEMI datasheets carry no revision code. Check that you have the current file. “Drop-in” applies under the stated conditions only. Test minimum input and temperature on your own board.
Updated: 2026-10-26 · Jasper
Verify against the datasheet before use.