It is very difficult to find information or a list about supported USB and SD devices to deploy ESXi 5.x (or ESXi 4.x).
If you search in the VMware Knowledge Base, you will find KB 1010574 (VMware support for USB/SD devices used for installing VMware ESXi) – but there is only a hint to use a device that is approved by the server vendor. Unfortunately it is very time consuming to search for this information on the vendors websites.
Therefore I have arranged a list where you will find information about supported devices from some well-known vendors.
If you have more information about supported devices from vendors not listed – please leave a comment or write me a short mail:
Hewlett Packard – HP:
HP 4GB SD Enterprise Performance Flash Media Kit #580387-B21
IBM:
DELL:
You will find information about supported USB and SD devices in the VMware vSphere 5 on Dell PowerEdge and Storage Systems Compatibility Matrix at page 10.