[SamBam]

This basically looks like a mini Shop-Vac.

If you own a Shop-Vac (a wet-dry vacuum, generically), could you just turn it on without the hose? It would draw much more power, but presumably would work much quicker, and so may end up being more efficient.

[OJFord]

Of course; ditto any vacuum cleaner, AC with filtration, etc.

It's just airflow + filter, which is why DIYing them is so popular.