The Smeg Victoria SI964XM is a 60cm built-in induction hob aimed at buyers who want quick, efficient cooking wrapped in a smarter, more traditional-looking stainless steel design. As part of Smeg’s Victoria range, it leans towards the premium end of the market with a focus on style as much as day-to-day practicality.
With four induction zones, automatic pan detection and handy quick-heat functions, it’s designed to make the switch from gas or ceramic as painless as possible. A strong 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners, across more than twenty reviews, suggests it’s not just attractive on paper but performs well in real kitchens too.
It’s best seen as a quality, long-term upgrade rather than a budget buy, suited to households that cook regularly and appreciate both design and performance.
The Smeg Victoria SI964XM is ideal for small to medium households that cook most days and want the speed and control of induction without sacrificing a more classic, stainless steel look. At 60cm wide, it fits the standard cut-out in most UK kitchens, making it a straightforward upgrade from an older electric or gas hob.
This is a premium-priced model, so it will appeal most to buyers planning a kitchen update or full renovation, where the hob needs to look the part alongside a matching oven or range. If you like Smeg’s styling and want something that feels a step up from basic black glass hobs, this fits the brief.
It also suits home cooks who value safety and control. Features like automatic pan detection, residual heat indicators and an automatic safety shut-off give extra peace of mind in busy family kitchens. The PowerBoost and Quick Start functions are well suited to those who regularly boil large pans of water or sear food at high heat.
First-time induction users should also feel comfortable here. The front-mounted rotary controls are more intuitive than touch sliders for many people, especially if you’re moving from gas knobs, so there’s less of a learning curve than with some high-tech glass hobs.
The combination of induction technology and Smeg’s Victoria styling is a real highlight. You get the efficiency and responsiveness of a modern glass induction surface, framed in stainless steel to tie in with more traditional or shaker-style kitchens.
Performance-wise, the hob offers four zones with a power range of 1.3 to 3 kW, backed up by a PowerBoost function when you need an intense burst of heat. That means fast boiling times and plenty of punch for stir-frying or searing steaks.
Automatic pan detection ensures the hob only heats when a suitable pan is in place, improving safety and avoiding wasted energy. Residual heat indicators and an automatic safety shut-off add another layer of reassurance, particularly around children.
The Quick Start feature helps get pans up to temperature rapidly, which is handy on busy weeknights. A control panel lock also stops settings being changed accidentally while you’re wiping the surface or if curious hands wander too close.
Lastly, owner feedback is very positive. A 4.8/5 rating suggests users are consistently happy with its performance, design and ease of use.
The SI964XM is a premium product and its price reflects that. If you simply want a basic induction hob for occasional cooking, there are more affordable options that will still cover the essentials.
There’s no built-in timer, which some rivals do offer to help manage cooking times directly from the hob. You can compensate with an oven timer or smart speaker, but it’s a small omission at this price point.
The hob requires hard wiring to a 32-amp supply, so you’ll need a qualified electrician to install it. That’s standard for powerful induction hobs, but worth factoring into your budget if you’re upgrading from a much older setup.
Finally, while four zones will be enough for most homes, there’s no extendable or bridging zone. If you regularly use large griddle plates or oversized cookware, a model with flexible cooking zones might suit you better.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SI964XM feels straightforward and reassuringly solid. The front-mounted rotary controls are easy to see and reach, so you don’t have to lean over hot pans to adjust the heat. If you’re used to turning knobs on a gas hob, the transition to this layout feels natural.
Induction means the glass surface stays cooler than traditional electric plates, as heat is directed into the pan rather than the hob top. Combined with pan detection and residual heat indicators, this helps keep the cooking area safer and easier to clean. Spills tend not to burn on in the same way, so a quick wipe usually restores the surface.
The 60cm width and four-zone layout give a sensible amount of space for the average household. You can have a large pan boiling while gently simmering sauces on the other zones without feeling overly cramped, as long as your cookware isn’t oversized.
Quick Start and PowerBoost are particularly useful in daily life. Boiling water for pasta or vegetables is much quicker than on most standard ceramic hobs, and the hob responds fast when you turn the power up or down, making it easier to avoid boiling over or overcooking delicate dishes.
Installation does require hard wiring, but once in place, it’s a low-maintenance appliance with no fiddly parts to remove or clean, beyond keeping the glass and stainless steel trim free of streaks.
The heart of the Smeg Victoria SI964XM is its four-zone induction setup, offering a burner power range from 1.3 to 3 kW. This gives a good spread from gentle simmering through to high-heat cooking, and the inherent precision of induction makes temperature changes almost immediate at the pan.
PowerBoost is available when you need maximum intensity. This is especially useful for tasks like bringing a large pan of water to the boil or quickly reducing sauces. Together with the Quick Start function, it makes the hob feel lively and responsive, even when you’re working through a multi-pan meal.
Automatic pan detection is more than a gimmick here. It lets the hob recognise when a suitable pan is in place and only then delivers power, helping to conserve energy and reducing the risk of accidentally leaving a zone running. If you lift the pan off, the hob stops heating, which is reassuring if you’re distracted.
Safety is further strengthened by an automatic safety shut-off and residual heat indicators, so you always know which zones are still hot. The control panel lock is another practical feature, preventing children from changing the settings or the controls being nudged while you wipe down the surface.
Construction-wise, the hob uses a glass surface with a stainless steel surround, combining the sleek look of glass with the durability and visual appeal of Smeg’s Victoria design. While it doesn’t add smart connectivity or flexible bridging zones, it focuses on core performance and practical features that benefit everyday cooking.
Positioned as a premium 60cm induction hob, the Smeg Victoria SI964XM is not the cheapest way into induction cooking. You’re paying partly for the Victoria aesthetic and Smeg branding, as well as for solid build quality and a strong feature set.
However, the specification lines up well with its pricing. You get fast, efficient induction zones, PowerBoost, Quick Start, pan detection and a good suite of safety features. The two-year manufacturer warranty is in line with many similar appliances, and the Italian build should appeal to those who prioritise design and finish.
The high owner rating of 4.8 out of 5 across multiple reviews suggests that buyers generally feel they’ve had good value, despite the higher initial outlay. If you’re planning to keep the hob for many years and want something that looks and feels a cut above the basics, the price becomes easier to justify.
If your budget is tight or you’re fitting out a rental property, a simpler, cheaper induction hob will make more sense. But for a main family kitchen where design and everyday performance both matter, the SI964XM offers respectable value in the premium bracket.
The Smeg Victoria SI964XM 60cm induction hob is a stylish, well-specified choice for anyone upgrading to induction and wanting more than a plain black slab of glass. It combines the speed and precision of modern induction with the characterful stainless steel detailing of the Victoria range.
Performance is strong, with responsive heat, effective PowerBoost and Quick Start functions, plus thoughtful safety features such as pan detection, automatic shut-off and residual heat indicators. Owners clearly rate it highly, and the intuitive rotary controls make it an easy hop from a traditional gas hob.
You do pay a premium, and the lack of a built-in timer or flexible zones may deter some buyers who want every possible extra. But if you value looks, day-to-day usability and reliable performance, and you’re already drawn to Smeg appliances, the Victoria SI964XM is a very compelling 60cm induction hob.
