A reciprocating compressor includes a linear motor having a piston reciprocating inside a cylinder. A cylinder head is provided with suction and discharge orifices. A valve means is mounted inside the cylinder and has an operative position, seated against the discharge orifice. The operative position is defined when the top of the piston is within a certain distance from the cylinder head. The distance is defined, so that, at the end of the compression stroke of the piston, a determined pressure is reached inside the cylinder, and the pressure results in a force on the piston. The force is opposite to a force which is impelling the piston and which is sufficient to interrupt its compression stroke before impacting the cylinder head.