> On the other hand, buck converters require you to actually do some actual engineering. You can't just haphazardly throw in a single IC and expect it to work flawlessly on your first try.
It used to be a hassle a few years ago - but these days you can haphazardly throw in a R-78K3.3-0.5 - which has the pinout of a classic three-pin 3.3v linear regulator, but it's actually an 80% efficient DC-DC converter with 500mA output and an input range that goes up to 36v.
That's enough current even if you've got something like an ESP32 that needs 250mA - and for any type of hobby project, the $2.40 is fine.
It used to be a hassle a few years ago - but these days you can haphazardly throw in a R-78K3.3-0.5 - which has the pinout of a classic three-pin 3.3v linear regulator, but it's actually an 80% efficient DC-DC converter with 500mA output and an input range that goes up to 36v.
That's enough current even if you've got something like an ESP32 that needs 250mA - and for any type of hobby project, the $2.40 is fine.