A sleek ceramic hob for everyday cooking

The Smeg SE264TD1 is a 60cm, four‑zone ceramic hob designed to give a clean, modern look with simple touch controls. It’s a straightforward electric hob that focuses on practical features rather than flashy extras.

Smeg sits at the more premium end of kitchen brands, and this model reflects that with its minimalist glass surface, front‑mounted touch panel and handy safety touches like residual heat indicators and a control lock. It’s not the cheapest ceramic hob on the market, but it feels positioned as a step up from entry‑level models.

With a user rating of 4.6 out of 5 from a good number of reviews, owners are clearly pleased with how it performs day to day, especially if you’re upgrading from an older solid plate or basic ceramic hob.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • Standard sized 4 zone electric hob
  • Lockable control panel for safety
  • Indicator shows when the hob is still hot
  • Easy-to-use touch controls
  • Dimensions (cm) – H5 x W60 x D51 – Learn more

Who this hob is best for

The Smeg SE264TD1 suits households that want a smart, uncluttered glass hob without jumping to induction prices. If you cook regularly but don’t need a huge number of zones or specialist functions, its four standard cooking areas will comfortably handle family meals and batch cooking.

It’s a good fit for medium‑sized kitchens and standard 60cm cut‑outs, so it will slot into most replacement scenarios with minimal fuss. With nine power levels, it gives enough control for simmering sauces as well as boiling pasta or searing in a frying pan.

If you have children or curious pets, the control panel lock and residual heat indicators make this a sensible, safety‑conscious choice. Those upgrading from older rotary‑dial models will also appreciate the clean, touch‑only interface.

More demanding home chefs who want flexible zone combinations, bridge zones or induction‑level responsiveness may find this a little basic, but for most everyday users wanting a stylish, reliable ceramic hob from a respected brand, it hits the mark.

What we like

The four cooking zones cover typical day‑to‑day needs, giving space for multiple pans without crowding a standard 60cm worktop. For most households, that’s the ideal balance of capacity and footprint.

Touch controls at the front of the hob keep everything easy to reach and wipe clean. With nine power levels and a dedicated on/off switch, it’s simple to fine‑tune heat and quickly cut power when you’re finished.

Safety is well covered: the control panel lock helps prevent accidental changes or little fingers tampering with settings, while residual heat indicators clearly show when a zone is still hot. Auto power‑off adds another layer of reassurance if a zone is left on.

The smooth ceramic surface in black looks sleek and modern, and with no protruding knobs it’s much easier to keep smear‑free than older designs. A built‑in timer and audible end‑of‑programme signal are handy for keeping track of multiple dishes without constantly clock‑watching.

Where it could be better

As a 6,000‑watt hob that requires hard‑wiring to a 26‑amp supply, you’ll almost certainly need an electrician to install it if you’re not already set up for this load, which adds to the overall cost.

The one‑year manufacturer’s warranty is on the short side for a built‑in appliance at this price point; some rivals in this category offer longer cover for extra peace of mind.

Although it’s well specified for a ceramic hob, it doesn’t offer flexible or bridged zones, and it lacks the ultra‑fast responsiveness and energy efficiency of an induction hob. If you’re a keen cook who regularly juggles large or awkward pans, you might find these limitations noticeable.

Finally, the touch controls, while sleek, can be a bit less forgiving if they get wet or greasy compared to physical knobs, so you’ll want to keep the panel reasonably clean during busy cooking sessions.

Everyday use

Day to day, the Smeg SE264TD1 is built to be straightforward. The front‑mounted touch controls mean you don’t have to lean over hot pans to adjust the heat, and the clear display makes it obvious which zones are active and what power level they’re on.

With nine power levels, you can smoothly step down from a rolling boil to a gentle simmer without the big jumps you get on some budget hobs. The built‑in timer and audible alert are especially handy when you’re cooking several elements at once – set a zone, walk away, and the hob will let you know when it’s done.

Cleaning is simple: once the residual heat indicator shows the surface has cooled, a quick wipe across the flat ceramic glass clears up most spills. There are no knobs or metal supports to dismantle, which is a big plus if you like to keep the hob looking pristine.

The control lock is reassuring if you have children, but it’s also useful when wiping the panel, as you can prevent accidental changes while you clean. Auto power‑off and residual heat indicators further reduce the risk of mishaps if you’re occasionally forgetful or easily distracted.

Performance and features

With a 6,000‑watt electrical connection, the SE264TD1 has ample power for a typical four‑zone ceramic hob. It won’t match a top‑end induction model for speed, but for boiling, frying and general hob work it’s more than capable, especially if you’re upgrading from older electric plates.

Each of the four zones offers nine discrete power levels, giving enough granularity to handle everything from gently melting chocolate to getting a pan of water up to the boil. The consistent electric heat of ceramic is predictable once you’re used to it, and the residual warmth can be handy for keeping food hot off the heat.

On the feature front, Smeg has focused on the essentials done well. The digital display, timer and audible end‑of‑programme alert help keep your cooking on track. The auto power‑off safeguards against forgotten pans, and residual heat indicators give a clear, visual reminder that a zone is still hot underneath the glass.

The safety and convenience suite is rounded out by pan detection and a control panel lock. Pan detection helps the hob manage its heating more intelligently, while the lock prevents children or clumsy hands from changing settings mid‑cook.

Overall, while it doesn’t offer advanced zone flexibility or smart connectivity, the SE264TD1 delivers a solid, well‑rounded feature set that covers what most households genuinely use, wrapped in a clean, modern design.

Value for money

This Smeg sits in the mid to upper range for a standard 60cm ceramic hob, reflecting the brand’s premium image and the smart styling. You can certainly find cheaper four‑zone ceramic hobs, but they often compromise on build feel, controls or safety extras.

Here, you’re paying for a reputable name, a sleek glass design, intuitive touch controls, and a reassuring set of safety features such as residual heat indicators, auto power‑off and a proper control lock. For many buyers, that combination justifies the step up from budget models.

The strong 4.6 out of 5 user rating, backed by a healthy number of reviews, suggests that most owners feel they have received good value, with performance and ease of use living up to expectations. The main drawback on the value front is the relatively short one‑year warranty, which feels a little stingy for a built‑in appliance.

If you’re purely price‑driven, there are cheaper ceramic options. But if you want a smart‑looking hob from a trusted brand, with a considered set of everyday features and safety functions, the SE264TD1 offers solid value for its positioning.

Our verdict

The Smeg SE264TD1 60cm ceramic hob is a stylish, no‑nonsense choice for households that want a reliable four‑zone electric hob with modern touch controls and sensible safety features. It looks the part in a contemporary kitchen and delivers dependable performance for everyday cooking.

It’s not the most feature‑packed hob on the market, nor does it offer the response and efficiency of induction, but it covers the essentials very well: clear controls, nine power levels, a useful timer, and thoughtful safety touches like residual heat indicators, pan detection, auto power‑off and a control lock.

If you’re after a premium‑feeling ceramic hob to replace an older model and you value design and ease of cleaning as much as outright speed, this is a strong contender. Those who demand advanced zone flexibility or a longer warranty may want to explore alternatives, but for most family kitchens, the SE264TD1 is a dependable, good‑looking upgrade.

FAQs

Does the Smeg SE264TD1 hob need to be hard‑wired?

Yes, the SE264TD1 has a 6,000‑watt electrical connection and a 26‑amp fuse rating, so it must be hard‑wired by a qualified electrician rather than plugged into a standard socket.
Yes, it is a 60cm wide ceramic hob designed for standard installations, with overall dimensions of approximately H5.0 x W60.0 x D51.0 cm.
It includes a control panel lock to stop settings being changed accidentally, residual heat indicators to show when zones are still hot, and auto power‑off for extra safety, making it well suited to family homes.
The Smeg SE264TD1 offers nine power levels on its four cooking zones, giving good control from gentle simmering through to rapid boiling.
Yes, the flat ceramic glass surface and touch controls make it easy to wipe clean once the residual heat indicators show that the zones have cooled down.
Yes, it features an integrated timer with an audible end‑of‑programme alert, so you can set cooking times and be notified when they’re finished.
You can use most flat‑bottomed pans suitable for electric hobs, including stainless steel and cast iron. Unlike induction, it does not require special magnetic cookware.
The hob includes a 1‑year manufacturer’s warranty as standard.

Smeg SE264TD1 60cm Ceramic Hob Review

£269.00

Overall score

8.5/10

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