The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, designed to bring traditional styling and modern safety to a standard-sized kitchen cut-out. With four burners including a powerful wok zone and chunky cast iron pan supports, it aims to combine vintage looks with practical cooking performance.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium camp, and this model follows suit: the price is on the higher side for a straightforward four-burner hob, trading on design, build quality and brand reputation rather than flashy extra functions. Owners seem very happy with that trade-off – it holds an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from user reviews, suggesting it performs reliably day to day.
If you want a solid, good-looking gas hob with a bit more punch for stir-fries and larger pans, and you’re prepared to pay a little extra for the Smeg badge and styling, this is a strong contender.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly but don’t need a huge five- or six-burner layout. With four zones and a compact 60cm width, it’s a great fit for standard UK kitchens, flats and smaller family homes.
It will particularly suit cooks who enjoy traditional gas control and want a more powerful burner for woks, big pans of pasta or searing meat. The dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner gives you that extra heat that basic hobs often lack, without stepping up to a larger appliance.
In budget terms, this is a premium mid-sized hob rather than an entry-level buy. If you’re upgrading an older appliance or planning a new kitchen and care about how the hob looks, the enamelled black surface and cast iron pan supports will appeal.
If you’re a first-time buyer simply wanting the cheapest possible hob, there are more basic options. But for someone who values style, solid build and straightforward controls over lots of digital features, the Victoria SR964NGH is a very sensible choice.
The combination of four burners with three different sizes gives the hob good flexibility: you can simmer sauces gently while using the more powerful zones for main dishes. The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner is a real plus, delivering quick, intense heat that’s ideal for stir-frying, boiling large pots or rapid searing.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports are another highlight. They give the hob an upmarket, professional look and provide a stable platform for heavier cookware, helping to keep pans level and reducing the risk of wobbling or tipping.
Everyday usability is strong. Front-mounted rotary dials are simple to understand, and automatic ignition means you can light each burner with a single twist rather than juggling a separate igniter or matches. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off add peace of mind, cutting the gas if the flame goes out.
The hob is also LPG-compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, which is great if your home runs on bottled gas or you plan to move it to a non-mains-gas property later.
For a four-burner 60cm hob, the price is comparatively high, largely reflecting the Smeg branding and traditional styling rather than an especially advanced feature set.
Despite the premium positioning, there’s no timer, no child lock and no digital display, so if you’re upgrading from a more modern-looking glass or induction hob you may find the controls feel basic and a touch old-fashioned.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can mark or chip more easily than some high-end stainless steel or glass alternatives if you’re not careful, and it may take a bit more effort to keep it looking pristine.
Finally, while a two-year warranty is reasonable, some rivals in this price bracket offer longer cover, which would add extra reassurance for a built-in appliance.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be straightforward. Automatic ignition built into each rotary control means you simply press and turn the dial to light the burner, which is quicker and cleaner than using separate igniters. The front-mounted controls are easy to reach, so you’re not stretching over hot pans to adjust the flame.
The cast iron pan supports span the hob and give a continuous surface, making it easier to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting heavy pots. They feel solid and secure, which is especially reassuring when using the powerful wok burner with larger cookware.
Cleaning is typical of an enamel gas hob: spills should be wiped promptly to avoid staining, and the pan supports will need removing for a thorough clean. There are no tricky touch panels or displays to worry about, just a simple enamel surface and rotary knobs.
Installation does require a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection, and an electrician will need to attach a suitable plug or cable for the ignition, so factor that into your plans when replacing an old hob.
Performance centres on a four-burner layout with a burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The lower-powered zones are well suited to simmering sauces, melting butter or keeping dishes warm, while the stronger burners handle everyday frying and boiling.
The standout is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which gives you that extra heat many cooks look for. It’s ideal for stir-fries where you need fast, intense heat to keep vegetables crisp, or for quickly bringing a large pot of water to the boil. Having three different burner sizes makes it easier to match pans to the most appropriate zone.
Safety is well covered. A flame failure device monitors each burner, cutting off the gas if the flame goes out unexpectedly. Automatic safety shut off and automatic ignition work together to reduce the risk of unlit gas, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The enamel hob surface in black, combined with chunky cast iron supports, echoes the classic Victoria styling that Smeg is known for. While it doesn’t feature advanced electronics or smart connectivity, its feature set focuses on reliable gas performance, strong pan support and simple, tactile controls.
For homes on LPG, the included conversion kit is a practical addition. Rather than needing separate parts, a qualified installer can configure the hob for bottled gas, making it more versatile if you’re in a rural property or planning a move.
As a Smeg appliance, the Victoria SR964NGH commands a premium over many no-name or entry-level four-burner gas hobs. You’re paying not just for basic cooking capability but for styling, build quality and brand reputation.
From a pure feature count, there are hobs with more bells and whistles at similar or even lower prices, especially if you consider models with timers or touch controls. However, the powerful wok burner, robust cast iron supports, LPG compatibility and strong safety features do justify a higher price than the most basic alternatives.
The excellent 4.8/5 user rating suggests that owners generally feel they’ve had good value from their purchase. If your priority is a stylish, well-built gas hob from a trusted Italian brand, the price makes sense. If you simply want the cheapest way to get four burners, you’re likely to find better-value options elsewhere.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed, traditionally styled gas hob that delivers reliable everyday performance with a welcome boost of power from its ultra-rapid wok burner. It feels solid under heavy pans, the controls are clear and intuitive, and the safety features are in line with what you’d expect from a reputable brand.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or fancy electronics – and the enamel surface will reward a bit of care when cleaning. You’re also paying a premium for the Smeg name and vintage-inspired looks rather than cutting-edge tech.
If you want a handsome, dependable 60cm gas hob with a strong user satisfaction record and you’re comfortable with the higher price tag, the Victoria SR964NGH is an excellent choice. Those who prioritise advanced features or a lower upfront cost may be better served by more modern-looking glass or induction alternatives.
