The effect of hydrogenation on the structures and magnetic properties of magnetic regenerators HoCu 2 (CeCu 2 -type), ErNi 2 (MgCu 2 -type) and ErNi (FeB-type) has been investigated. All these compounds can form crystalline hydrides which remain in the structure of the original compound. In the case of ErNi 2 , hydrogenation induces volume expansion up to 13% compared with the parent compound. The magnetic moment and the Curie temperature of the crystalline hydrides decreases as the hydrogen content increases. In the case of ErNi and HoCu 2 , there is a little change in the lattice parameters and magnetic properties of the crystalline hydrides compared with original compounds. Amorphous hydrides are also observed after the hydrogenation of ErNi 2 and HoCu 2 compounds.