The potentialities of AlGaN/GaN nanochannels with broken symmetry (also called self-switching diodes) as direct and heterodyne THz detectors are analyzed. The operation of the devices in the free space heterodyne detection scheme have been measured at room temperature with RF up to 0.32 THz and explained as a result of high-frequency nonlinearities using Monte Carlo simulations. Intermediate-frequency bandwidth of 40 GHz is obtained. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)