The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, traditional rotary controls and a classic black enamel finish. It’s part of Smeg’s retro-inspired Victoria range, aimed at buyers who want something that looks as good as it cooks.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a powerful wok burner, it’s designed for everyday family cooking rather than flashy smart features. The price sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, but a strong 4.8 out of 5 owner rating suggests most buyers feel they’ve got their money’s worth.
If you’re upgrading from a basic hob and want a step up in build quality and style, this model is clearly positioned as a solid, long-term choice.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook regularly and want reliable, responsive gas heat with a more traditional look. Its four burners and compact 60cm width make it ideal for typical UK kitchens and standard 600mm cabinets.
It’s a good fit if you cook a mix of everyday meals and the occasional stir-fry or large one-pan dish. The dedicated wok burner gives you that extra punch of heat when you need it, but the smaller burners still cater for gentle simmering and sauces.
Budget-wise, this is more of a mid-to-premium option rather than an entry-level hob. If you’re renovating a kitchen or pairing it with other Smeg Victoria appliances, the design and build quality will appeal. First-time buyers who simply want the cheapest possible hob may find it more than they need.
It’s also well suited to people who prefer simple controls over touch panels or complex functions. The front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition keep things straightforward, making it a sensible choice for families and anyone who values ease of use over techy extras.
The standout feature is the dedicated wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat – perfect for stir-fries, searing meat and bringing large pans up to the boil faster than standard burners.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a reassuringly solid feel. They’re more durable than basic enamel supports and grip pans securely, reducing the risk of wobbling or tipping when you’re cooking with heavier cookware.
Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials make everyday use simple. You can light each burner with one hand and easily see and adjust the flame level while you cook, without reaching across hot pans.
Safety is well covered with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off, which cut the gas if the flame goes out. That’s especially important in busy family kitchens.
The hob is also LPG compatible and includes a conversion kit, so it’s a flexible option whether you’re on mains gas or bottled gas.
For a hob at this price point, the feature set is fairly traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no advanced functions such as automatic simmer settings or touch controls, which some rivals now offer.
The enamel surface looks smart but is generally more prone to showing scratches and marks than higher-end stainless steel or glass finishes, so it may need a bit more care to keep it looking pristine.
While the four-burner layout will suit most households, larger families or keen cooks who regularly juggle multiple big pans might prefer a 5-burner model with an extra central zone.
Finally, the standard 2-year warranty is decent but not exceptional in a market where some brands now offer longer cover on built-in appliances.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly straightforward. Automatic ignition means you simply turn a dial and the burner fires up, so there’s no need for matches or a separate spark button. The front control layout keeps everything within easy reach and makes it obvious which dial controls which burner.
The four-burner arrangement, with three different burner sizes, covers most common cooking tasks. You can have a large pot of pasta boiling on the ultra-rapid burner while a sauce simmers gently on a smaller burner, without feeling cramped on the 60cm surface.
Cast iron pan supports provide a flat, stable platform for everything from small milk pans to wide frying pans. They do add a bit of weight when you lift them off for cleaning, but that’s the trade-off for the sturdier feel.
Cleaning is fairly typical for a gas hob with an enamel surface. Spills should be wiped up promptly to keep the surface looking its best, and you’ll need to lift off the pan supports to reach every corner. There’s no self-cleaning trick here, but the simple layout helps reduce nooks where grime can build up.
Installation-wise, it requires both an electrician to connect the ignition and a Gas Safe registered engineer to handle the gas connection. The unit is integrated and slim at 3cm high, so it should slot neatly into most standard worktops.
Performance centres around the mix of burners, with a power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW. The most powerful burner acts as a wok or ultra-rapid zone, delivering the high heat needed for stir-frying and quick boiling. This adds a noticeable step up from basic four-burner hobs that only offer standard burners.
The three burner sizes give you flexibility: use the smaller zones for delicate tasks like melting chocolate or keeping sauces warm, and the larger ones for big pans and everyday boiling. Having four zones on a 60cm footprint is the standard configuration, so it won’t overwhelm smaller kitchens.
Automatic ignition is built into every burner, so the flame lights as you turn the knob. This not only speeds things up but also feels more premium than separate ignition buttons. The rotary dials are simple and tactile, which many cooks still prefer over touch controls for fine flame adjustment.
Safety features are reassuringly comprehensive. Flame failure devices monitor each burner and cut the gas if the flame goes out unexpectedly, reducing the risk of gas leaks. An automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection, which is particularly welcome in family homes.
The enamel surface and cast iron supports give the hob a classic, slightly retro look that ties in nicely with other Smeg Victoria products. While there are no smart features or digital displays, the core performance and traditional controls are strong, especially if you value reliable heat and a solid cooking platform over gadgets.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits towards the higher end of the price range for a 60cm four-burner gas hob. You’re clearly paying a premium compared with basic models, but you do get better materials, a powerful wok burner and the pull of the Smeg Victoria styling.
The specification is intentionally simple rather than packed with tech, so the value comes from build quality, design and everyday usability rather than smart features. If you don’t care about matching other Smeg appliances or the retro-inspired aesthetic, there are cheaper alternatives that will cook just as effectively.
However, the strong 4.8/5 average rating from owners suggests that most buyers feel the hob justifies its price. If you’re investing in a longer-term kitchen upgrade and want a solid, stylish hob you’ll use daily, the overall value is good, even if it’s not a bargain option.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, attractive 60cm gas hob that focuses on getting the basics right. The powerful wok burner, robust cast iron pan supports and straightforward rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on for everyday meals and occasional more ambitious dishes.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market, and the lack of a timer, control lock and more advanced functions may put off those who want something ultra-modern. The enamel surface also demands reasonable care to keep it looking sharp.
If you’re after a budget hob, this isn’t it. But if you value classic styling, solid construction and reliable gas performance – especially as part of a coordinated Smeg Victoria kitchen – the SR964NGH is an excellent choice that should serve you well for years.
