Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends classic styling with a practical, no-nonsense layout. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it is clearly aimed at buyers who want something smarter than a basic hob without going fully high-tech.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials, it covers all the essentials most households need. The price sits in the more premium end for a standard 60cm gas hob, but a strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews suggests owners feel it delivers on quality and performance.
If you are upgrading an older hob or finishing off a traditional-style kitchen, this Smeg model offers a solid mix of looks, usability and safety-focused features.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for small to medium-sized households who cook most days and want a reliable, good-looking hob rather than a bare-bones budget option. Its four burners and compact 60cm width mean it will slot comfortably into standard worktop cut-outs without dominating the kitchen.
It suits home cooks who like to experiment, especially with stir-fries and one-pan dishes, thanks to the dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner. If you often have a large frying pan on the go or cook with deep sauté pans, the sturdy cast iron supports will be a real plus.
Budget-wise, this is best for buyers prepared to pay a bit more for style and build quality. It is not the cheapest 60cm gas hob you can buy, but the Italian-made construction, enamel surface and premium pan supports put it firmly in the mid-to-premium bracket.
It is also a good match for anyone upgrading a built-in oven and wanting a coordinating, traditionally styled hob from a reputable brand, without needing complex touch controls or smart connectivity.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, delivering up to 3.3 kW of heat. That means fast boiling, proper searing and lively stir-fries, something many cheaper four-burner hobs struggle with.
Cast iron pan supports cover the cooking surface, giving a stable base for everything from small milk pans to large casserole dishes. They feel robust and add a premium, professional look compared with lighter enamelled supports.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials makes starting a flame quick and intuitive; you simply turn and press rather than juggling a separate ignition button or matches. Front-mounted controls keep everything within easy reach.
Safety is well covered too, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut off. If a burner is blown out or left on without a flame, the gas supply is cut, giving peace of mind in busy family kitchens.
Finally, owner feedback is excellent, with a high average rating that backs up the impression of strong build quality and satisfying day-to-day performance.
For a standard 60cm, four-burner gas hob, the price is on the higher side. You are paying partly for the Smeg name and styling as well as the solid pan supports, which may not appeal if you are simply after the cheapest functional option.
There is no timer or control panel lock, so while the controls are simple, you miss out on a couple of convenience and safety extras that some modern hobs now include, especially in homes with curious children.
The surface is enamel rather than glass, which is durable and traditional but can be a little more effort to keep looking pristine if spills are left to bake on. Regular wiping is advisable to maintain the glossy black finish.
Lastly, as a straightforward gas hob with rotary knobs and no digital display or smart features, it will not satisfy those looking for very advanced functions or flexible zone layouts found on larger or induction models.
Day-to-day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to feel familiar and fuss-free. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so you can see and reach them easily while cooking without stretching over hot pans.
Automatic ignition built into each control means lighting a burner is as simple as turning and pressing the knob. There is no separate spark button, which makes multitasking at the hob more straightforward and reduces clutter on the surface.
The four burners are arranged to give a good spread of sizes, so you can have a large pan on the high-output burner while simmering sauces on the smaller zones. The cast iron supports help pans glide smoothly between burners, useful when juggling multiple dishes.
Cleaning is relatively simple: the cast iron supports lift off and the enamel top can be wiped down with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner. As with most black enamel, fingerprints and dried-on spills will show if neglected, but regular wiping keeps maintenance manageable.
Installation does need a Gas Safe engineer, and an electrician will need to connect the power supply for the automatic ignition, so factor that into your planning if you are replacing an older hob.
Performance-wise, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH covers the core needs of most cooks with a burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The smaller burner is well suited to gentle simmering and low-heat tasks, while the ultra-rapid burner provides the intense heat needed for fast boiling and wok cooking.
The traditional gas layout gives you instant visual feedback and precise flame control, which many keen cooks still prefer over electronic touch sliders. The inclusion of three different burner sizes across the four zones makes it easier to match pan size to heat output and avoid wasted energy.
Cast iron pan supports are not just about looks: they offer excellent stability and heat resistance, standing up well to heavy pots and regular use. They create a continuous cooking surface, which helps when you need to slide pans around without lifting.
Safety has clearly been considered. Flame failure devices on the burners cut the gas if the flame goes out unexpectedly, reducing the risk of gas build-up. Automatic safety shut off offers an extra layer of protection if something is left on unintentionally.
The hob is also LPG compatible and comes with a conversion kit, which is a real advantage for households running on bottled gas or in properties without a mains gas supply. Combined with its 60cm width and low 3cm profile, it is flexible enough for a wide range of kitchen layouts and installations.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is not a bargain-basement hob. Its price reflects the Smeg badge, Italian manufacture and the more premium touches such as cast iron supports and a powerful ultra-rapid burner.
If you are comparing purely on burner count and basic functionality, cheaper four-burner gas hobs are widely available. However, this model justifies its higher cost with better materials, classic styling and a strong emphasis on safety, which you may not always get at the entry level.
The very positive user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests owners feel they are getting good value over time, particularly in terms of reliability and day-to-day satisfaction. The included 2-year manufacturer warranty for domestic use adds further reassurance.
Viewed as a mid-to-premium choice rather than a budget buy, the Smeg Victoria offers solid value for those who want a hob that looks and feels a cut above the basics and are prepared to pay a bit more for that uplift.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a well-judged blend of traditional design and practical performance. It does not try to be ultra-modern or feature-packed, but it gets the essentials right: a strong wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports, intuitive rotary dials and proper safety protection.
It is best suited to households that cook regularly, appreciate classic styling and want a reliable workhorse rather than a showpiece full of electronics. The inclusion of LPG compatibility and a decent manufacturer warranty further strengthens its appeal.
If you are working to a tight budget or crave advanced digital features, there are more basic or more high-tech alternatives to consider. But if your priority is a solid, attractive, easy-to-use gas hob from a trusted brand, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a very strong contender.