AO Review: Hornady VEXIS Night Guard – Be the Key to your Security

By Adam Scepaniak • Published September 2, 2026

Something that firearm owners likely don’t ponder is the history of safes; what keeps our valuables protected. Over time, the term safe could be viewed pretty loosely. From hiding money under your mattress, placing it in a treasure chest and burying it like a swashbuckling pirate, having it under a mechanical lock and key, and even more modern advancements like biometric safes (scan your fingerprint) or an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification). The two latter options have been the peak of safe technology until today. Hornady Security – a subdivision of the Hornady reloading and ammunition company we all love – has announced VEXIS. A rad 21st century name with even cooler tech imbued into a product we are going to go into greater depth shortly. So, today, we are going to take a look at VEXIS by Hornady Security and their Night Guard safe. Let’s dive in!

Hornady Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications: VEXIS by Hornady Security – Night Guard Safe

VEXIS by Hornady Security alludes to the specific technology that makes the Night Guard safe work. Instead of using your fingerprints, an RFID tag, or a mechanical lock, VEXIS utilizes a mapping of the veins in your hand. You read that correctly. Something unique and specific to you that cannot be copied, stolen, or cloned. As a result, the Night Guard safe (SKU: 98235) delivers unmatched speed of access, ease of use, security, and peace of mind for firearm protection.

Technical Specs

Opens instantly with VEXIS vein-scanning technology
Quiet, spring-loaded door
14-gauge steel exterior housing
Hardened interior locking lugs
Padded interior for handgun and valuables
Discreet clock display can be turned on or off
USB-C charging port for charging phones, etc.
Backup keypad and physical key entry
Powered by two 9V batteries or included 12V power supply

Standout Features

Beyond the basic technical specs of the product, there are quite a few standout features worth noting that could persuade both new and old buyers to make the switch to a VEXIS Night Guard Safe.

Heavy-Duty Tamper Proof Construction – Robust exterior housing and hardened interior locking lugs resist tampering
Quiet, Spring-Assist Drawer – Opens near instantly to reveal a padded interior for your handgun and valuables
Discreet Clock Display – Clean, modern display can be dimmed or turned off and blends seamlessly into your home environment
USB Charging Port – Integrated USB-C port powers phones and other devices right from your nightstand
Backup Entry Built In – Includes keypad and physical key access for added peace of mind

A Word from Hornady Security on their VEXIS Night Guard Safe

The Hornady® VEXIS Night Guard® Pistol Safe uses next-generation palm vein recognition technology to provide fast access to your handgun within. Unlike traditional entry methods, palm vein technology is impossible to replicate and totally internal within the safe itself, providing unmatched security. It’s made from robust 14-gauge steel and features hardened internal locking lugs to keep out unwanted hands. The discreet clock display can be turned on or off while an integrated USB-C charging port provides convenient charging. The interior is padded to protect your handgun’s finish. Backup keypad and physical key provide alternative entry. Powered by two 9V batteries or included 12V power supply.

Other Products featuring VEXIS Technology

Since this VEXIS technology from Hornady Security can be applied to anything they create, they have done exactly that and crafted a full sweet of products to ensure the safe storage of our valuables: whether they are firearms, money, documents, precious metals, or otherwise. This includes Mobilis Safes, Vault Doors, and Keypad plus Swingbolt to potentially upgrade a safe you already own. Below are the features that are applicable to most of these new products:

VEXIS Technology – Patent-pending VEXIS vein-scanning technology reads the unique palm vein pattern beneath your skin for secure, sub-second entry. Multi-factor authentication adds protection, and the system is built to perform reliably in real-world conditions. Features keypad and mechanical key backup.
Maximize Interior Storage – The Square-Lok interior organizing system helps you make the most of your space. Adjustable metal shelves and rifle/pistol racks can be arranged to fit your needs. A built-in 120V outlet and USB power strip keep accessories powered. Additional Square-Lok accessories sold separately.
Heavy-Duty Construction – Built with thick 9-gauge, 2-ply steel exterior walls, a pry-resistant 3/16″ solid steel door, and 1-inch live locking bolts. Heat-activated door seals and 2300F one-hour Fire Shield protection help safeguard your valuables.
Easy to Install – Unlike traditional one-piece safes, Mobilis Safes arrive in manageable sections that can be carried through doorways and assembled in the room you choose. An included tool kit makes setup straightforward.

VEXUS Mobilis Safes

The VEXIS Mobilis Safe changes what a home safe can be. Its modular design lets you move and assemble it in sections, while advanced vein-scanning technology delivers fast, reliable access to your firearms and valuables when it counts most.

Mobilis Safe Single Door (SKU: 95070) | MSRP $3,173.99
- Exterior: 59″ x 22″ x 18″ (add 2″ for door handle)
- Interior: 53.5″ x 18″ x 14.4″
Mobilis Safe Double Door (SKU: 95071) | MSRP $5,164.99
- Exterior: 59″ x 34″ x 25″ (add 2.6″ for handle)
- Interior: 52.5″ x 30″ x 21.4″
Mobilis Sale Double Door MAX (SKU: 95072) | MSRP $7,125.99
- Exterior: 71″ x 46″x 31″ (add 2.6″ for handle)
- Interior: 65.5″ x 42″ x 27.4″

VEXIS Premium Vault Doors

The Premium Vault Doors utilizing VEXIS technology will come in two standard sizes of 36″ x 80″ (SKU: 95421) and 32″ x 80″ (SKU: 95422) to fit most entries into a room or house.

Dependable, Advanced Access – Patent-pending VEXIS Technology reads the unique vein pattern beneath your skin for instant, secure entry. A keypad makes setup simple while providing an additional layer of access control. Also features mechanical key backup.
Designed for Standard Installation – Engineered to fit standard residential door rough openings, Vault Doors integrate seamlessly into new or existing safe rooms. A patent-pending reversible hinge system allows for left- or right-hand in-swing to match your room layout. Steel trim provides a clean, finished exterior appearance.
Customizable Interior Organization – The interior features the Square-Lok organizing system, allowing you to configure accessories to suit your needs.
Heavy-Duty Construction with Fire Protection – Built with a rugged 12-gauge door and frame, eight 1-inch live locking bolts, and ceramic fiber insulation for fire protection.

Premium Vault Doors with VEXIS Technology will take the security and appearance of your safe room to the next level.

VEXIS Keypad and Swingbolt

With the VEXIS Keypad and Swingbolt (SKU: 95892), you can upgrade your existing safe (if dimensionally compatible) with VEXIS technology as well. This can be viewed as a retrofit kit to enhance what you already own.

Bring the speed and security of patent-pending VEXIS palm vein recognition to the safe you already own. This retrofit kit includes the VEXIS Keypad and Swingbolt locking mechanism – giving you fast, contactless biometric access without replacing your entire safe.
Designed to fit first-generation Mobilis safes and other brands with compatible mounting patterns, this upgrade delivers advanced internal vein-mapping technology for next-level protection.

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch of VEXIS Technology?

So, what’s the upsell? What’s the metaphorical and literal 30-second elevator pitch? For the VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe, you’re looking at several prominent traits that might tip the scale in favor of Hornady Security as opposed to a competing manufacturer at a similar price-point.

Your Palm is the Key – Patent-pending palm vein recognition technology (Patented Biometric Vein Mapping Identification) uses unique internal vein patterns that cannot be copied, forged, or left behind, delivering unmatched security beyond fingerprints or codes.
Fast, Touch-Free Access – Simply hover your palm near the sensor. In less than half a second, your identity is verified and the safe unlocks. No codes to remember or buttons to press.
Next-Level Privacy – Your biometric data comes from inside your body, keeping it private and secure. Unlike fingerprints that wear down or facial features that change, palm vein patterns remain stable for life. In addition, access data is stored locally on one device and never shared, uploaded, or connected elsewhere.
Unmatched Accuracy – Each scan captures over 2.5 million data points, resulting in the lowest false acceptance and rejection rates of any biometric technology.

What’s in the Box?

One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive:

Included in the Box:

(1) VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe
(1) Power Cord
(1) Owner’s Cable
(1) Security Tie-Down Cable
(1) Set of Back-Up Keys
(1) Nylon Storage Pouch for Keys

Field Use: VEXIS by Hornady Security – Night Guard Safe

So, how did the all-new VEXIS Night Guard Safe perform?… Before we dive into its overall performance, let’s take one final gander at how this technology works for its users.

How Vexis Technology Works

If mechanical lock safes, biometric ones, or even RFID tag compatible safe take seconds, the Night Guard safe is meant to take fractions of a second to engage. We all understand that if a malicious actor breaks into your home you might have less than a few seconds to respond with defensive force. So, the VEXIS Night Guard Safe aims to be faster than all prior technology and quicker than those who wish to do us harm.

Reads Below the Skin – Uses safe infrared light to read vein patterns beneath your skin, not surface features like fingerprints or facial scans
Learns and Verifies Instantly – Advanced algorithms confirm your identity in under half a second using millions of data points
Private by Design – All access data stays stored inside the safe – never shared, uploaded, or connected elsewhere

Speed

As we alluded to, possibly the greatest selling point of this new safe is its speed. There is no need to memorize a touchpad key code when you are awakened in the middle of the night. No need to have a perfect proprioceptive index on a mechanical lock in the dark. You simply need to reach your outstretched palm towards the palm reader, and before your mind can register if your palm is appropriately spaced in front of it or not, the safe has already silently opened.

Accuracy

An initial concern of mine working with this product was the accuracy of the vein mapping or scanning of your palm. More specifically, could my son get into this safe because he is so close genetically to me. After successfully getting into the safe myself, I brought my near 2 year old son over to see if he could incidentally get in.

*****SPOILER ALERT******

He couldn’t get in.

If my son could have accidentally gotten into the safe, I would have wrote this product off entirely. I have heard horror stories of people’s children guessing a 4-digit code because us adults like predictive patterns. So, we become predictable to our own kids. Or, low-quality fingerprint scan safes allowing children in because they’re in close enough blood relation to their parents. Since my son couldn’t get into this nightstand safe, I have a tremendous peace of mind wash over me not only for this review, but for the safety of my household.

Tray Size

My everyday carry (EDC) pistol of choice is a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp 9mm (roughly Glock 19 size). With a red dot and weaponlight mounted on it, its footprint is much larger than the physical pistol itself yet there was a considerable amount of room left in the storage tray. I appreciated that because if I wanted to toss my wallet, an extra magazine, or other valuables in the safe, I definitely could have.

Also, with the interior tray being rubberized the pistol is not prone to sliding around or scuffing my handgun. That is nice to me for two separate reasons:

Wherever you placed your pistol in the tray – a specific orientation that’s easiest for you to pick up your handgun in the dark – it will still be there if you aggressively slam the door shut. It’s not ajar or slid wildly out of place.
If anyone is place an expensive or fancy gun in here, it won’t get scuffed or scratched. My EDC is viewed as a tool – scuffs and scratches are assumed and not frowned upon – but for others that might not be the case.

Intangibles

Something that people could complain about, but I actually liked is how heavy the safe is. I didn’t weigh it, but it is substantial. I have used thin-walled safe boxes before that if you bumped into them while walking by could be nearly knocked off of my nightstand. I like having something sturdy, heavy, and to blunt, stationary! I don’t want my safe wiggling and sliding around when I set is somewhere. The Night Guard Safe definitely does not do that.

Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts on the VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe?… Overall, I am beyond impressed and I could see competitors trying to steal this intellectual property that Hornady has created. It is fast, easy-to-use, and while Hornady hasn’t issued a precise MSRP yet, they are already being sold on the interwebs (or listed for sale) at sub-$400. I believe that is a very fair asking price for the technology that Hornady has produced and implemented into the VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Hornady Security for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their new VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the VEXIS by Hornady Security Night Guard Safe is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy one by your nightstand like I did? In an office? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Hornady Security and their all-new VEXIS Night Guard Safe in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and engagement.

Hornady Security Social Media Channels

The post AO Review: Hornady VEXIS Night Guard – Be the Key to your Security appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.