Characterization of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) in compression mode is a funda-mental step toward designing and modeling of MRE-based vibration control devices. The pre-sent study investigates dynamic properties of MREs under different loading conditions includ-ing the strain amplitude and magnetic field intensity. A reasonably compact U-I shape elec-tromagnet assembly was designed employing multi-parameter optimization method to achieve the target magnetic flux with minimal overall size and weight. A series of tests were carried out at various strain amplitudes (5 and 20%) and magnetic field intensities (0-750 mT). The measured data were then analyzed to establish effects of strain amplitude and magnetic field intensity on dynamic properties of MREs working in compression mode. The results demon-strated that the viscoelastic properties of the MRE strongly depends on the strain amplitude and applied magnetic field.