The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that mixes classic styling with practical everyday features. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s clearly aimed at buyers who want something more characterful than a plain stainless steel hob.
With four burners including a powerful ultra-rapid wok burner, automatic ignition and proper safety cut-offs, it’s designed for keen home cooks who still prefer the control of gas. The price puts it in the premium end of standard 60cm hobs, but its solid build and Italian-made heritage help justify the uplift.
An average user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from owners suggests that, in real kitchens, it’s performing very well, with few complaints about reliability or day-to-day use.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for style-conscious buyers updating a traditional or country-style kitchen who don’t want to compromise on performance. The black enamel surface and retro-inspired control layout fit particularly well with range-style cookers and shaker units.
It suits small to medium households who cook most days and want a reliable four-burner layout with enough power to sear, stir-fry and simmer. The inclusion of a high-output wok burner means it will appeal to anyone who enjoys Asian cooking or simply wants faster boiling.
Budget-wise, this is more of a premium choice than a basic 60cm hob, so it’s best for buyers prepared to pay a bit extra for design and sturdier materials. If you’re kitting out a first flat on a tight budget, there are cheaper hobs, but few with this blend of looks and build.
Because the controls are simple rotary dials with automatic ignition, it’s very approachable for all experience levels, from first-time homeowners to confident cooks who just want a straightforward, dependable gas hob.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat. It makes stir-fries, searing steaks and rapid boiling noticeably faster than on standard burners.
Solid cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium, professional feel. They hold pans very securely, even heavier casserole dishes, and are more durable than lighter enamelled grates often found on cheaper models.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials means you can light each burner with one hand – no need for separate ignition buttons or matches – making everyday cooking that bit easier.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off helping to cut the gas if a flame goes out. For a gas hob, this is a reassuring layer of protection.
The 60cm width and integrated design make it an easy fit into standard worktops, and the LPG conversion kit included is a real bonus if you’re on bottled gas rather than mains.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, so you don’t get some of the convenience or child-safety features that are now common on higher-end hobs, particularly induction.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can show scratches and marks over time if not treated carefully, and generally needs a little more attention to keep it looking pristine compared with some modern glass surfaces.
As a four-burner 60cm hob, it’s fairly conventional in layout. If you regularly cook with multiple large pans, the space may feel tight and a wider 70–75cm hob might suit you better.
The requirement for both an electrician (to attach a plug or cable) and a Gas Safe engineer for installation adds to the overall cost if you’re starting from scratch.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward and reassuringly solid. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to see and reach, and automatic ignition means each burner sparks into life as soon as you turn the knob.
The four burners offer a sensible spread of heat levels, from a gentle simmer through to the ultra-rapid burner for fast cooking. Being gas, the flame is instantly responsive, so adjusting from a rolling boil to a low simmer is quick and intuitive.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface, making it easy to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting. They’re weighty enough not to wobble but lift off for cleaning.
Cleaning the enamel surface is a little more involved than simply wiping a flat glass hob – you’ll need to remove the pan supports and work around the burner caps – but the smooth enamel finish does wipe down reasonably well once spills are dealt with promptly.
Installation is typical for a built-in gas hob: it drops into a standard 60cm cut-out, but you must factor in a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to connect the power supply for ignition.
For a 60cm hob, performance is a strong point. The burners span a power range from 1.05 kW for gentle simmering up to 3.3 kW on the ultra-rapid burner. That top-end output is where the hob really stands out, giving you the punch needed for proper wok cooking and quick boiling.
The four-burner configuration with three different burner sizes covers most everyday tasks: small burners for sauces, medium zones for standard pans and the large wok burner for high-heat jobs. This flexibility helps avoid overcrowding and lets you match burner size to your cookware.
Build quality is above average for the category. Cast iron pan supports provide stability and longevity, and the Italian-made construction adds confidence that it’s built to last. The enamel surface material is traditional but feels robust under heavy cookware.
On the safety side, a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off are both onboard. If a flame is blown out or fails to ignite properly, the gas supply cuts automatically – a key feature for any modern gas appliance.
While there are no digital displays or smart connectivity, the simplicity is part of the appeal. Automatic ignition, clearly labelled front controls and compatibility with both mains gas and LPG (with the included conversion kit) make it highly practical, even if it doesn’t chase the tech-heavy trend of induction hobs.
At £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the higher end of the price range for a standard 60cm gas hob. You’re paying a premium over basic models, but you are getting noticeably better materials and a more distinctive design.
The combination of cast iron supports, a powerful wok burner, Italian manufacture and solid safety features helps justify the cost, especially if you cook frequently and will benefit from the extra performance and durability.
The strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating, backed by a respectable number of reviews, also supports the idea that owners feel they’ve had good value from their purchase.
If you simply want the cheapest possible hob for very light use, this will feel expensive. However, for a long-term kitchen upgrade where looks and feel matter as much as function, it represents fair value for a premium-branded appliance.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, attractive 60cm gas hob that delivers strong everyday performance with a traditional, high-quality feel. The powerful wok burner, cast iron supports and straightforward controls make it a pleasure to cook on.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or touch controls – and the enamel surface needs a bit of care to keep it looking its best. The price is also on the premium side for a four-burner model.
If you’re upgrading a kitchen and want a reliable, classic-looking gas hob that feels solid and performs better than entry-level options, this Smeg is an excellent choice. Those chasing cutting-edge features or maximum cooking space might want to look at wider or induction alternatives, but for many households this strikes a very satisfying balance of style, power and simplicity.
