The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob aimed at cooks who like the responsiveness of gas but want it wrapped in classic, premium styling. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to look the part in a traditional or shaker-style kitchen.
With four burners including a powerful ultra-rapid wok burner, automatic ignition and solid safety features, it covers the essentials with a bit more flair than most standard hobs. At this price it’s firmly in the premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, but the specification and Smeg branding will appeal if you’re upgrading the whole kitchen.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a growing number of reviews, suggesting that real-world performance and build quality largely live up to expectations.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal if you cook regularly and want a gas hob that feels solid and substantial rather than purely functional. The combination of cast iron pan supports and a dedicated wok burner suits anyone who does a mix of everyday meals and more adventurous stir-fries or one-pan dishes.
It’s a good fit for small to medium households, thanks to the four-burner layout and 60cm width, which will drop into most standard worktop cut-outs. If you’re tight on space but still want a hob that looks smart and copes well with family cooking, this layout makes sense.
Budget-wise, this is a premium choice rather than an entry-level buy. If you’re working to a strict budget there are cheaper 60cm gas hobs that will do a similar basic job, but they’re unlikely to match the finish, design and brand feel of this Smeg.
It also suits anyone converting or running on LPG, as the hob is LPG compatible and comes with a conversion kit included – handy for rural homes or properties without mains gas.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner. With power up to 3.3kW, it delivers quick, intense heat that’s ideal for proper stir-frying, fast boiling and searing – something many standard four-burner hobs lack.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They hold pans securely, cope well with heavy cookware and add to the premium look. For keen cooks, that extra stability makes juggling multiple pots much less stressful.
Everyday operation is straightforward. Automatic ignition means burners light as you turn the rotary dials, and the controls are positioned at the front, so you’re not reaching over hot pans. The layout is familiar and intuitive, even if you’re not used to Smeg appliances.
Safety is well covered too, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut off. If a flame goes out, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in a busy family kitchen.
Finally, the hob is LPG compatible and includes the conversion kit, saving the extra cost and hassle if you’re not on mains gas.
For a 60cm hob, the price is on the high side, largely reflecting the Smeg brand and styling. If you just want the cheapest way to get four gas burners, this model will feel expensive.
You don’t get any advanced extras such as a timer, digital display or control panel lock. Some rival hobs at similar or lower prices now offer timers or child locks, which can be reassuring if you have young children.
The enamel surface, while smart and in keeping with the Victoria look, tends to show spills more readily than some modern glass or stainless finishes and can need a bit more care to keep looking its best.
There’s also only a standard 2-year manufacturer warranty. That’s acceptable, but a longer guarantee would be welcome at this price point for extra peace of mind.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels straightforward and familiar to use. The front-mounted rotary controls are clearly laid out, so you can see and reach everything without leaning over steam and hot pans. Automatic ignition means no separate spark button or matches – you simply turn and the burner lights.
The four-burner configuration gives you a sensible mix of zones: smaller burners for simmering, standard ones for general cooking, and the ultra-rapid burner for high-heat tasks. That makes it easy to cook a full meal at once, with sauces gently bubbling away while your main pan gets full power.
Cast iron supports provide a flat, continuous surface for moving pans around. They’re reassuringly weighty, which helps stability, though it does mean lifting them off for cleaning is a little heavier work than lighter enamel supports.
Cleaning the enamel surface is manageable as long as spills are wiped up reasonably quickly. Enamel can mark if burnt-on food is left, so a quick wipe-down after cooking will keep it looking smart. With a low profile of just 3cm, it also sits neatly into the worktop, making crumbs and splashes easier to spot and deal with.
Installation-wise, you’ll need a Gas Safe engineer and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, which is standard for this type of hob but worth factoring into your plans.
Performance centres on the burner setup, with a power range from 1.05kW up to 3.3kW. The lower-powered burners are well suited to simmering sauces, melting chocolate or keeping food warm without catching, while the more powerful zones handle everyday boiling and frying with ease.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the real performance highlight. Positioned to give your largest pan plenty of space, it delivers strong, concentrated heat that keeps up with quick-cook dishes and large pots of pasta. This makes the hob feel more capable than some basic four-burner options that top out at lower power levels.
Safety features are reassuringly comprehensive. The integrated flame failure safety device monitors each burner, cutting the gas if the flame is extinguished unexpectedly, and there’s automatic safety shut off for extra protection. Combined with automatic ignition, this makes for a safe but still very responsive cooking experience.
From a usability perspective, Smeg keeps things deliberately simple. There are no electronic timers or touch controls – just mechanical rotary dials and automatic ignition. For many cooks, that’s a plus: there’s very little to go wrong, and the controls work exactly as you’d expect.
The enamel surface and cast iron supports add a traditional, slightly retro character, in keeping with the wider Victoria range. While you don’t get the sleekness of a glass surface or the bells and whistles of a smart hob, the overall package is focused on reliable heat, classic looks and robust construction.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the premium end of 60cm gas hobs. You can certainly find cheaper models that offer four burners and basic safety features, so you’re paying a surcharge for the Smeg badge, the traditional Victoria styling and the more substantial build.
That said, the specification is stronger than entry-level alternatives. Cast iron supports, an ultra-rapid wok burner, LPG compatibility with the kit included and a well-judged burner spread all contribute to a more capable hob that should feel good to use for years.
The high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 supports the idea that most buyers feel they’ve had their money’s worth. If you value design and brand as much as ticking the basic feature boxes, the price becomes easier to justify.
If your priority is simply the lowest cost for a functioning gas hob, there are better-value options elsewhere. But if you’re investing in a coordinated Smeg kitchen or want a hob that looks and feels a cut above the basics, the Victoria SR964NGH offers solid – if not bargain – value.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that blends traditional styling with solid performance. Its powerful wok burner, reassuring cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on, particularly if you cook from scratch most days.
It isn’t the cheapest option, and you don’t get modern extras like a timer, digital display or child lock. The relatively short 2-year warranty also feels a touch conservative for a premium-priced hob. But the fundamentals – heat output, safety and build quality – are all handled very well.
If you’re putting together a stylish, classic-looking kitchen and want a gas hob that feels robust and responsive, this Smeg is an excellent choice. Price-focused buyers or those wanting more advanced electronic features may be better off with a different model, but for many home cooks this will be a satisfying long-term upgrade.
