The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, aimed at cooks who want traditional gas control wrapped in classic styling. With four burners, including a powerful wok zone, it’s designed to handle everything from weeknight pasta to fast stir-fries.
Smeg is a premium brand, and this hob follows that pattern with a price that sits towards the upper end of standard 60cm gas models. In return you get robust cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a reassuring set of safety features.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a solid number of reviews, suggesting the build quality, looks and everyday performance largely live up to the asking price.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook most days and want a reliable, good-looking hob to anchor a traditional-style kitchen. Its 60cm width makes it a straightforward replacement for most standard four-burner hobs, ideal for flats, smaller homes or family kitchens that don’t need a five- or six-burner layout.
With a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW and a dedicated wok burner, it’s a good fit for keen home cooks who like to sear, simmer and stir-fry rather than just reheat. If you regularly juggle multiple pans, the cast iron pan supports and three different burner sizes will be particularly appealing.
Budget-wise, this is more of a mid-to-premium choice than a basic entry-level hob. It’s best for buyers who are willing to pay extra for stronger build quality, Italian styling and Smeg’s reputation, rather than those simply looking for the cheapest replacement.
If you want something very high-tech with touch controls or smart connectivity, this isn’t it. But if you prefer the tactile feel of rotary dials and straightforward gas cooking with a nod to classic range-cooker looks, it’s right on target.
The four-burner layout is well judged, with three different burner sizes and an ultra-rapid wok burner delivering up to 3.3 kW for fast boiling and high-heat stir-fries. This makes it easy to match pan size to flame so you’re not wasting gas or scorching food.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, premium feel and make it safer to move heavy pans around without wobbling. They also create a level cooking surface, which is helpful when you’re using several pans at once.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials means you can light each burner with one hand – simply push and turn – so there’s no need for separate lighters or fiddly buttons. The front-mounted controls keep everything within easy reach.
Safety is well covered too, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off to cut the gas if the flame goes out, plus LPG compatibility and a conversion kit in the box if you’re running bottled gas. The slim 3cm height and standard 60cm width also make it relatively straightforward to integrate into most worktops.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you’ll need to rely on a separate kitchen timer and be mindful if you have curious children around the hob. Many modern hobs at this price point add at least a basic timer function.
The enamel surface looks smart in black, but it won’t be quite as resistant to fine scratching as some high-end glass or stainless steel tops. You’ll want to take a little care when lifting the cast iron supports for cleaning.
Installation isn’t plug-and-play: it requires both an electrician to attach the power cable and a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection, with the hose not included. That’s standard for built-in gas hobs, but it’s an extra cost to factor in.
Finally, while the four-burner layout is perfectly adequate for most homes, larger households or serious batch cooks might prefer a wider hob with five or more burners to gain extra cooking space.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels very straightforward to live with. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out and simple to grip, so you can fine-tune the flame quickly without reaching over hot pans.
Automatic ignition built into each control means you only need one hand to get going – push, twist and the burner lights. It’s a small touch but makes a big difference when you’re juggling pans or holding a heavy pot.
The cast iron pan supports create a stable, continuous surface that makes moving pans around safer and easier, especially when you’re shifting a full saucepan from the high-heat wok burner down to a gentler simmer. They will need lifting off for cleaning, but the overall 60cm enamel surface is flat and uncomplicated, so routine wipe-downs are simple with the right cloth and cleaner.
Because it’s a standard integrated gas hob, there are no complicated electronics or menus to get used to. Once it’s professionally installed, everyday use is classic gas cooking: instant heat, instant adjustment and a layout most cooks will be comfortable with from the first use.
Performance-wise, the SR964NGH offers a practical mix of power and control. The burner power range runs from 1.05 to 3.3 kW, giving you low, steady flames for gentle simmering at one end and a punchy wok burner at the other for searing steaks or tossing stir-fries.
The dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner is the standout feature. Positioned to give a strong, focused flame, it delivers quick, intense heat that’s ideal when you want to boil large pans of water in a hurry or cook with a round-bottomed wok. For everyday tasks, the smaller burners step in for sauces, rice and slow cooking without scorching.
Cast iron pan supports underscore the hob’s premium intent, offering durability and improved heat distribution over flimsier wire supports. They also help your cookware sit squarely above the flame, which is crucial for even cooking and safety.
On the usability front, the hob keeps things deliberately simple: no touch controls, no digital displays, just rotary knobs with automatic ignition. This back-to-basics approach will appeal to anyone who values clean design and reliability over extra electronics. Safety features are built in quietly, with a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off to cut the gas supply if the flame is lost, which is especially reassuring in busy family kitchens.
Installation features are practical too. The hob is LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, which makes it suitable for homes off the mains gas grid or for use in properties that rely on bottled gas. The compact 3cm profile and standard 60cm width should slot into most existing cut-outs with minimal modification, provided a qualified fitter handles the work.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits above the price of many basic 60cm gas hobs, reflecting Smeg’s premium positioning and the Victoria range’s classic styling. You’re paying for design, solid materials and brand reputation rather than an extensive list of advanced electronic features.
In terms of hardware, you do get meaningful upgrades over budget models: robust cast iron pan supports, an ultra-rapid wok burner, a full set of safety protections and LPG convertibility with the kit included. The absence of extras like timers or child locks keeps the spec sheet focused but may feel a little sparse to some at this price.
Where it really justifies itself is owner satisfaction. A 4.8 out of 5 rating from multiple reviews suggests that buyers feel they’re getting good value, particularly in build quality and everyday performance. If you prioritise longevity, styling and reliable gas cooking over added electronics, it represents fair value in the mid-to-premium bracket.
If you’re on a tight budget or simply need the cheapest functional hob, you’ll find lower-cost alternatives. But for those wanting a classic-looking hob from a respected brand, with the key cooking and safety boxes firmly ticked, the price is reasonable.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a strong choice if you want traditional gas cooking wrapped in a stylish, black enamel design. Its four burners, including a powerful wok zone, cover most everyday cooking tasks with ease, and the cast iron pan supports give it a reassuringly solid, premium feel.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or fancy touch controls – but that simplicity is part of its charm. Easy-to-use rotary dials, automatic ignition and a full suite of gas safety features make it straightforward and dependable to live with.
If you value classic looks, robust construction and reliable performance over bells and whistles, this Smeg hob is well worth considering. Those needing more burners, smarter features or a tighter budget may want to look elsewhere, but for many family kitchens it strikes an attractive balance of style, usability and quality.
