Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends traditional styling with modern cooking performance. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary dials and heavy cast iron pan supports, it’s clearly aimed at those who want a more characterful look than a standard stainless steel hob.
With four burners including a powerful wok burner, automatic ignition and essential safety features, it sits as a solid mid-range choice rather than a budget option. The price reflects Smeg’s premium positioning, but you’re also getting a design that will complement a classic or country-style kitchen.
Owners rate it very highly, with an excellent average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a decent number of reviews, suggesting that real-world reliability and ease of use live up to the promise on paper.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly but don’t need a huge 5- or 6-burner layout. If you’re working with a standard 60cm cut-out, this gives you a practical four-burner setup with a bit more punch and flexibility than an entry-level hob.
It particularly suits home cooks who enjoy stir-fries, curries and one-pan dishes. The dedicated wok burner delivers intense heat, making it easier to sear, caramelise and reduce sauces without everything simmering gently for ages.
Design-conscious buyers will also appreciate this model. The black enamel surface and cast iron pan supports look and feel more premium than many plain steel rivals, and the styling matches other Smeg Victoria appliances nicely.
If you’re on a tight budget or want lots of extras such as digital timers, touch controls or smart connectivity, this probably isn’t the best fit. But if you value solid build, classic looks and straightforward controls, it’s a strong contender.
The standout strength here is the burner layout. You get four zones with three different sizes and a powerful ultra-rapid wok burner, so you can go from gentle melting to fast boiling and searing without juggling pans awkwardly.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a sturdy, high-end feel and make it easier to slide heavy pans from one burner to another without lifting. They also tend to hold up better over time than flimsier wire supports.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials makes lighting the burners quick and intuitive, especially if you’re upgrading from an older hob that needed a separate ignition button or matches.
Safety is well covered too, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off. If the flame goes out unexpectedly, the gas is cut off – exactly what you want in a busy family kitchen.
Finally, the included LPG conversion kit is a real bonus for anyone running on bottled gas, saving the cost and hassle of sourcing a separate kit.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you miss out on some of the extra convenience and child safety features found on certain rival models, particularly in the same price bracket.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can mark or chip more easily than some modern glass or high-end stainless finishes if you’re rough with cookware. It also tends to need regular wiping to keep it looking its best.
With only four burners and a compact 60cm width, enthusiastic batch cooks or those using multiple large pans at once may find space a little tight.
The warranty is a fairly standard 2 years. It’s not poor, but some premium competitors offer longer cover, which would add peace of mind at this price point.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be simple and predictable to live with. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out and easy to grip, so adjusting the flame while cooking feels natural, even if your hands are slightly greasy or wet.
Automatic ignition means you simply push and turn to light the burner, without fiddling with separate buttons. Once lit, the range of burner outputs from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW gives you good control, whether you’re gently simmering a sauce or bringing a large pan of water to the boil.
The cast iron pan supports create a stable platform for everything from small saucepans to chunky casserole dishes. They add a bit of weight to the hob but that solidity inspires confidence when you’re moving heavy pans around.
Cleaning is reasonably straightforward: the pan supports lift off and the enamel surface is flat enough for a quick wipe-down. As with all enamel, you’ll want to avoid abrasive pads to keep the finish looking smart.
Installation does need a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the electrical connection requires a plug or cable fitting by an electrician, so it’s not a DIY job – but that’s standard for a built-in gas hob.
Performance-wise, this hob hits the key requirements for most family kitchens. The burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers low, medium and high heat tasks comfortably, with the ultra-rapid burner doing the heavy lifting when you need fast results.
The dedicated wok burner is a real asset. Positioned to give your pan plenty of space, it delivers a concentrated, intense flame that’s great for stir-frying, searing meat or quickly reducing sauces. Having this alongside more modest burners means you’re not wasting energy when all you need is a gentle simmer.
The enamel surface is practical as well as good-looking. It provides a smooth base and contrasts nicely with the black cast iron supports, suiting both modern and more traditional kitchens. Being an integrated 60cm hob, it slots neatly into standard cut-outs, making it a straightforward upgrade from many existing models.
On the safety front, the flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off are important inclusions. If a pan boils over or a draught blows the flame out, the gas is automatically cut, reducing the risk of leaks.
Features remain deliberately traditional: there are no touch panels, Wi‑Fi modules or built-in timers here. Instead, Smeg focuses on robust hardware and dependable controls, which will appeal if you prefer tactile dials over screens and menus.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, especially when compared with basic four-burner models. You are paying partly for the brand name and styling, but also for the solid build quality and strong user feedback.
The combination of cast iron supports, a proper wok burner, integrated safety systems and LPG compatibility gives it more depth than entry-level hobs, which helps justify the step up in price.
The impressive 4.8/5 owner rating indicates that buyers largely feel they’ve got what they paid for, or better. If your budget is tight and you simply want gas burners at the lowest possible price, there are cheaper alternatives. But if you value design, durability and a reassuring cooking experience, the price feels reasonable rather than excessive.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a stylish, well-built option for anyone who wants classic looks backed up by dependable performance. Its four-burner layout, powerful wok burner and cast iron supports make everyday cooking feel secure and controlled, and the strong owner ratings suggest it’s a reliable choice.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or fancy touch controls – and the price sits above more basic rivals. But those trade-offs will suit buyers who prefer simplicity, tactile dials and a more traditional aesthetic.
If you’re upgrading a standard 60cm hob and want something that feels a bit more special without venturing into oversized, ultra-premium territory, this Smeg is an excellent fit. Serious gadget-lovers may want to look for extra features elsewhere, but for most home cooks it strikes a very appealing balance of style, performance and ease of use.