We have analyzed the correlations between the electrocaloric (EC) temperature change and the EC coefficient, both obtained with experimental characterization of the materials in different forms: as thin films, thick films, single crystals and ceramics. We showed that higher EC temperature change has been obtained for the materials with lower EC coefficients as a result of very high applied electric fields that these materials can withstand due to their high dielectric strength. Based on that the dielectric strength has been shown to be one of the key parameters for the high-performance EC materials. The materials microstructural characteristics, required for the high dielectric strength, have been identified. We propose a number of future research and development directions towards the new EC materials with the high dielectric strength and high EC coefficient, which could result in the breakthrough in the EC refrigeration technology. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.