Abstract: An oil-free linear compressor prototype built for a vapor compression refrigeration system is presented in this article. To investigate the performance variation of the linear compressor, series of experiments are conducted in different operation conditions. The experimental results show that the resonant frequency is subjected to stroke, induction pressure and exhaust pressure. With the increment of exhaust pressure or the reduction of induction pressure and stroke, the resonant frequency will rise. As the exhaust pressure remains constant, input power, mass flow and volume efficiency are respond to induction pressure;when the induction pressure is fixed, input power will increase and volume efficiency together with mass flow will decrease with increasing of exhaust pressure.