The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob designed for anyone who wants traditional gas cooking with a touch of retro style. Finished in black enamel with chunky control knobs and sturdy cast iron pan supports, it’s very much in keeping with Smeg’s premium, design-led reputation.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, it’s built to handle everything from quick midweek dinners to more adventurous weekend cooking. The layout is deliberately simple, with automatic ignition and rotary dials on the front so there’s very little to learn.
User feedback is strong, with a high average rating from owners, which backs up the impression that this is a well-made, reliable choice rather than a feature-packed gadget.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook most days and want something smarter than a basic white hob. If you like the look of classic range cookers but only have space for a standard 60cm hob, this gives you that traditional aesthetic in a compact footprint.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it suits couples and small to medium families who regularly use a couple of pans at once and occasionally need all four rings for a bigger meal. The inclusion of a dedicated wok burner makes it particularly appealing if you enjoy stir-fries, searing meat quickly or bringing large pots up to the boil in a hurry.
This model sits in the more premium end of the gas hob market, so it’s best suited to buyers who are happy to pay a little more for build quality, design and a trusted brand rather than simply going for the cheapest option.
It’s also a good fit for anyone who prefers straightforward controls. If you don’t want touch panels, displays or complicated programs, the front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition will feel intuitive and reassuringly simple.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat – ideal for proper wok cooking, fast boiling and high-heat frying when you don’t want to wait around.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They’re more durable and stable than the lightweight enamel grids you find on cheaper hobs, helping pans sit securely, even when they’re heavy or large.
Every burner has automatic ignition, so you just turn the dial and it lights – no separate ignition button or matches needed. Combined with front-mounted rotary controls, this makes everyday use fast and fuss-free.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off built in. If a flame goes out accidentally, the gas is cut off, which is particularly reassuring in busy family kitchens.
Finally, the enamel surface is relatively easy to wipe clean compared with stainless steel, and the 60cm width means it slots neatly into standard cut-outs without demanding extra worktop space.
For a premium-branded hob, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no extra convenience functions such as automatic power reduction or reminder beeps, which some modern gas and induction hobs now offer.
The enamel surface, while easier to clean than brushed steel, can still mark or chip if you’re rough with heavy pans, and will never look quite as sleek as glass or high-end stainless finishes.
Front-mounted controls are easy to reach but also more exposed to spills and splashes, so you may find yourself wiping them down more often.
Lastly, the two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional at this price point; some rivals offer longer cover, which might matter if you like extra peace of mind.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly straightforward. Automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple twist, and there’s no hunting for a separate button. The front control panel keeps everything in clear reach, so you don’t have to lean over hot pans to adjust the flame.
The four-burner layout is familiar and practical. The range of burner sizes – including the powerful wok zone – makes it easy to match pan to burner, whether you’re simmering a sauce on a smaller ring or using the ultra-rapid burner for a big pot of pasta.
Cast iron pan supports span the hob and create a flat, stable cooking surface, which helps when you’re moving pans around. They are weighty, though, so lifting them off for cleaning takes a little more effort than with lighter enamel supports.
Cleaning is otherwise simple: the enamel top wipes down with a damp cloth and mild detergent, and the raised supports keep pans clear of most spills. With no touchscreens or electronic displays, there’s not much to go wrong or get smeared with fingerprints – just straightforward knobs and burners.
Performance centres on the four gas burners, with a power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The smaller burner is ideal for gentle simmering, melting chocolate or keeping dishes warm without scorching, while the higher-output zones handle everyday frying and boiling with ease.
The star of the show is the ultra-rapid wok burner. With its higher heat output and focused flame, it gives you the intense, responsive heat needed for proper stir-frying and searing. It also comes into its own when you need to get a large pan of water up to the boil quickly.
Cast iron pan supports are a key upgrade over entry-level models. They distribute weight more evenly and grip pans better, which not only feels more secure but also helps keep everything level for even cooking. Their robust construction is likely to stand up well to years of daily use.
Safety features are comprehensive for a straightforward gas hob. The flame failure safety device monitors each burner and automatically cuts the gas supply if the flame is extinguished, and the automatic safety shut off provides extra protection if something goes wrong or a burner is left on without a flame.
Although it doesn’t offer smart connectivity or touch controls, the SR964NGH does include practical touches like automatic ignition and LPG compatibility, with a conversion kit in the box. That makes it suitable for homes running on bottled gas as well as mains supply, provided installation is done correctly.
At around £429, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm four-burner gas hob. You’re paying as much for the brand, build quality and styling as for raw features, so it won’t be the best choice if you’re chasing the lowest possible price.
However, the combination of robust cast iron supports, a powerful wok burner, strong safety features and Italian build gives it a clear edge over budget models. The classic design also pairs well with other Smeg Victoria appliances, which adds to its appeal if you’re refurbishing a kitchen with a coordinated look in mind.
The high user rating suggests owners generally feel it justifies the investment. If you value solid construction, simple controls and a timeless design rather than a long list of modern extras, the price is reasonable. If you want advanced functions, timers or smart features, you may find better spec-per-pound elsewhere.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, good-looking gas hob that focuses on doing the basics brilliantly. Its powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports and straightforward controls create a dependable platform for everyday cooking, backed up by solid safety features and Smeg’s premium feel.
It’s not the most feature-rich hob on the market, and the price reflects the brand and design as much as technology. If you’re after timers, touch controls or smart connectivity, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you want a classic 60cm gas hob that feels substantial, performs reliably and looks the part in a stylish kitchen, this model is a strong contender.
Overall, it’s best suited to cooks who prioritise traditional, responsive gas cooking and robust build quality over cutting-edge extras, and who are happy to invest a bit more for that combination.
